Aussie sporting icon Cathy Freeman has revealed she is battling to run again as she recovers from a severe knee injury – and opened up about how motherhood has changed her forever.
Freeman, 52, provided one of Australia’s greatest sporting moments when she won the 400m at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
However, in recent years her mobility has been seriously hampered following leg injuries that have resulted in her using a walking stick.
In 2023, Freeman suffered an unfortunate accident at home, which left her needing surgery for a ruptured achilles tendon. Later, she suffered a knee injury that has also limited her movement.
The Olympic champion, who suffers from asthma and Type 2 diabetes, revealed she is locked in a fight to be able to run again when she was asked about her health in a recent interview.
‘I drive myself to rehab three times a week because I want to run again, and so I’m not going to accept anything else,’ Freeman told the Women’s Weekly.
Aussie sporting legend Cathy Freeman (pictured in 2023) has given an update on her health after suffering a serious knee injury
Freeman (pictured after winning the 400m at the Sydney Olympics in 2000) has been troubled by health setbacks that left her needing to use crutches recent years
When asked about the health advice she’d give to others, Freeman said: ‘My best piece of advice in terms of looking after your heart, spirit, mind and body is of course about self-care.’
‘Nutrition is gold. I find being silent in nature incredibly nurturing and healing, and laughter is medicine in itself – with friends, family, or wherever you seek humour.
‘And relationships with others and community, I think, helps one to remain grounded and maintain a sense of belonging.’
The Indigenous sporting legend married cricketer and manager James Murch in 1999 and had a daughter named Ruby, who is now 14.
Freeman, who is very protective of her private life and has since split up with Murch, says she’s inspired by Ruby.
‘She’s got a voice that’s just so strong, so clear – very annoying [she laughs] but strong and clear,’ said Freeman.
‘And she makes me sit up and go, oh, you are actually right.
‘And it’s a pretty amazing experience when that occurs because it makes you feel safe and good about the kind of character that she’s become.’
Freeman says she’s determined to run again despite a severe knee injury that comes after she ruptured her achilles and was forced to use crutches (pictured)
The Indigenous sporting legend opened up about the most important things to her health
Freeman says motherhood has taught her to become a better listener and more empatheic
Freeman she’s become a better listener since becoming a mother.
‘Listening, being present, trying to be attuned to who she is,’ she says.
‘I think young people today, in a world that they’ve got to thrive in, where there’s so much information at their fingertips, they are just so astute.
‘There’s less time to be on their own, to be grounded, to be listening to their inner voice or to be attuned to their true nature.
‘There’s peer pressure on screens, and their role models aren’t necessarily the strongest role models. And the lack of ancient ways and the disconnect … it frightens me.’
Freeman says she’d prefer it if her daughter didn’t follow her into a sporting career.
‘She does like sport, but I’d rather her take up music or art!’ Freeman laughs.
‘She does really well at writing, which is nice.’
Freeman is pictured with ex-husband James Murch and daughter Ruby in 2011
Freeman made a name for herself when she became the first Australian Indigenous person to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games at age 16.
From there, she won two more gold medals at the Commonwealth games in 1994 and a silver medal at the 1996 Olympics.
She came first at the World Championships in 1997 in the 400m event and again in 1999.
In 2000, the Indigenous Australian athlete captivated a nation as she lit the iconic Olympic cauldron at the Sydney Olympic Games opening ceremony.
She went on to win the women’s 400-metre race in a time of 49.11 seconds during the Games.
Freeman eventually called time on her sporting career in 2003.
