Cathy Freeman wins 400m gold - On This Day September 25

[@charki40]

I was in a Sydney pub that evening, watching with many other Australians the live coverage. As an Aboriginal person the collective rallying behind her and screaming we all did, brought us together like no other event. For once it felt like we were all Australians. Screaming, calling and then jumping around clapping in celebration. Looking at each other with mutual respect and joy. What a moment. Wish I can feel this more often with my fellow Aussies. P.S I met her personally in Melbourne and told her what she did for all of us that day. She smiled. : )

[@SuperNuclearUnicorn]

Felt like that watching the Tillys vs France tbh

[@danwright3476]

I fingered you in this pub. It was a memorable night.

[@kyliemoppert3926]

weird question, but: can you remember what time her race was?

[@davemcdonald10]

This and the men's 4×100 men's relay victory I still regard as the greatest achievements in Australian sport. Our Cathy did everyone proud. 20 years later I still get tears everytime I watch our Cathy's race the genuine emotion and the way she united Australia

[@cbebutuoy]

@@kyliemoppert3926 49.13

[@BeauBum89]

She did it for herself, her family, her Aboriginal people and her country of Australia. Proud Aboriginal and Australian moment.

[@sunstarsmoon5618]

BeauBum89 the real people of Australia, not the criminal racists that stole these people land

[@BeauBum89]

Tru that

[@aceofbass95]

Wait so every none Aboriginal is both a criminal and racists? Grow up guys

[@MrAMYJACK]

I am an invader of this land from Ireland and believe that what occurred years ago is something hard to forget when looking at the way.. sorry can't say any more.

[@MrAMYJACK]

Please name a country where this hasn't happened. And please use our countries name correctly Australia.

[@deadfarang]

20 years later and I still get goosebumps watching that.

[@barnoffelturnover]

Same

[@deadfarang]

@Rogue 9 aerodynamics

[@mehdiarif364]

she would have lost if her rival hadnt pulled out.

[@realmdrid3104]

yes me too

[@garrywallace1007]

@@mehdiarif364 Who? Perec hadnt run a competitive 400m for years- Cathy was unbeaten for 3 years....

[@Melissa_anne_2024]

I can’t even imagine the pressure she must’ve been under. 20 years later, this is still as epic as ever.

[@ktwashere5637]

I was listening on the radio in London and was so afraid for her (that she wouldn't win and how crushed she would be). We put too much pressure on athletes. I can't even run for the bus. Even if she'd come last she'd still be a million times better than me.

[@philhewitt5069]

@@ktwashere5637 what a lovely comment , as a pensoiner and ex athlete , watching this again gave me a little biddy tear.

[@Polpiv4tifish]

When she finished, we were all looking at a girl who had the weight of a country lifted off her shoulders. The commentator was right that night; there was nothing but relief on Cathy's face, the joy came later.

[@cameronglover7261]

Heir apparent dude she hadn’t lost a race in four years.

[@cameronglover7261]

Heir apparent you’re an idiot

[@cameronglover7261]

Heir apparent and she hasn’t lost a race since the 1996 Olympics, where she would have raced this person who supposedly wasn’t allowed to enter the country.

[@Elitist20]

@Heir apparent Hello. Perec was under pressure - but a lot of that was self-inflicted. If there was a real threat why didn't she appeal for help from the authorities? How committed was she really, that she could walk away at that moment? Meanwhile Cathy Freeman had the support - but also the unbelievable pressure - of the whole country backing her. There was a 10-storey-high picture of her in a Nike ad on the side of a building next to the southern approach to Sydney Harbour Bridge - one of the most visible spots in the city. Imagine having that to live up to.

[@leanneblake9336]

What A GREAT moment for Kathy The Indigenous People , The First People of Australia. And the Australians in general.

[@tundetheepic8631]

Cathy*

[@Bunno1177]

Bradshaw paintings....

[@realmdrid3104]

yes

[@realmdrid3104]

M S yes 👌

[@vmro9446]

she’s amazing

[@matth6900]

As a white Aussie, though I'm only 21, this was one of the greatest and most unifying moments - not only in Australian sport, but our history. Start of a new millennium, an Aboriginal and Aussie athlete that truly brought Australia together - comparable to the Springbok's 1995 World Cup victory.

[@robrichardson1284]

Matt H It was never apart. 🇦🇺

[@ryan1385]

Larry jones you hit the nail on the head mate. They are ruining this great country 🇦🇺

[@kelvyndoolan2523]

@@robrichardson1284 never apart? Bro y'all slaughtered the indigenous population and systematically kept them oppressed for 200+ years

[@robrichardson1284]

@@kelvyndoolan2523 if you going to live that far in the past I feel sorry for you.

[@robrichardson1284]

@@larrybelchek be Just as concerned about the chinese

[@888pil]

cathy was so iconic in her full body suit! I was only 6 but i remember everyone talking about her, she was our hero! now I am 26 and am proudly supporting her charity foundation. she's still every bit a hero!

[@samsonjavati9622]

That was one of the greatest Olympic moments in history! The moment she won silver in the previous Olympics in Atlanta, the pressure was on her to win gold in Sydney 2000! And boy did she win for her indigenous people and her nation!! I'm sure everyone around the world was happy she won! There was more relief than joy on her face after the race! ❤❤

[@ranhill]

With the exception of Allyson Felix winning 200m gold in London 2012, I've never been happier for an athlete to win gold than for Freeman in Sydney. The pressure must have been immense, but like a champion she pulled through.

[@goranmilic442]

But Cathy Freeman wasn't first from indigenous people to win gold, there was one in field hockey team that won gold 4 years before.

[@blackmancer]

along with the help of that suit... that no one else got to wear

[@garrywallace1007]

@@blackmancer Anyone could wear one....they chose not to.

[@mlk27743]

@@blackmancer That suit did absolutely NOTHING but made her look stupid.

[@mlk27743]

@@garrywallace1007 They chose not to look like idiots & let Cathy look like one.

[@anfearmor9616]

One of the greatest Olympic moments of all time, the expectation and pressure on that young lady that day was immense .

[@NomsieLivesHere]

Dear Cathy freeman, I know you probably aren’t reading this and probably never will, but you are an absolute legend and inspiration. You made the entire country hold their breath and you will be forever a legend. I idolise you so much, and I always will From a proud Aussie.

[@brentinnes5151]

I was in Auckland and I was definitely holding my breath!!

[@evanicholls1142]

Cathys performance to this day still gives me goosebumps. She is so inspirational to so many!!! 🤩😆🤗

[@paulgouge1896]

I was in the stadium on the ground floor on the home turn for the semi finals. I'll never forget 'feeling' the vibration from the crowd noise when Cathy rounded the home turn. Earlier on the day of the final, the beach volley ball team won gold, the 99th gold for Australia in the history of Olympics, setting up a momentis occasion.

[@donnymurph]

I was 10 when Cathy ran this race, and I can still remember exactly where I was, who I was with and what I was doing at the time. Hard to believe it's 20 years ago this year.

[@chrisbennett2465]

You can see that she really couldn’t believe what she’d done at first, then it finally started to sink in; she had made history as the first Australian Aboriginal to win gold, and even participate in the Olympics. Amazing!

[@alioc3298]

Second actually. First to win in a solo event, through

[@goodshipkaraboudjan]

Wrong, wrong and wrong. It was her second Olympics and many celebrated athletes of Indigenous heritage had represented Australia. Stop it with your decisive BS. Why even make up such rubbish?

[@charki40]

Just watching this look from 0:28 to 0:33 at the official in her lane. The young Aussie official first smiles and then draws in a nervous breath...like many of us that evening before her race. What a win under such pressure from Cathy. Thank You Cathy Freeman. You brought us together.

[@hasyimkurniawan272]

Not many people know, but actually she was disappointed cos she couldnt make it 48 sec. She won the gold medal but she was not really happy with her time. It just shows how great she is.

[@timn4481]

Hasyim Kurniawan her time was pedestrian compared to previous champions. She was lucky that the women's 400 was so weak around that time.

[@Ineddiblehulk]

She's a 48.6 runner. She beat a 48.8 runner. She scared off a 48.2 runner. 49.1 still wins most championships since. This was as solid as most eras. Only now with Uibo and Nasser are we looking at consistently low 49s

[@eduardoriveiracano3424]

@@Ineddiblehulk Don't forget Sanya Richards who ran 48.7 in 2006 and won a gold medal with 49:00 in 2009. Also, Allyson Felix who ran easily without much effort a 49:26 to win the gold in 2015 and she ran an amazing 400 split in 47.72 in the 4*400 in Beijing 2015.

[@eduardoriveiracano3424]

@@Ineddiblehulk Don't forget Sanya Richards who ran 48.7 in 2006 and won a gold medal with 49:00 in 2009. Also, Allyson Felix who ran easily without much effort a 49:26 to win the gold in 2015 and she ran an amazing 400 split in 47.72 in the 4*400 in Beijing 2015.

[@Ineddiblehulk]

@@eduardoriveiracano3424 Yes. But my point was that Cathy was NOT running in a 'weak era' as stated and that her winning time here would still have won the vast majority of championships over the last 17 years too. Richards and Felix are amazing but if you look at the world and olympic winning time between 2000 and 2018 Freeman's time here would've won most of them outside of those times oyu just listed.

[@tskeates]

The single greatest moment in Australian sporting history. Nothing else comes close.

[@nicksaveka5078]

I just got teary eyed watching this now... I was only 16 -17 yrs old when she won and didnt rrally grasp the gravity of how important this was for an athlete...... Really solid performance

[@goranmilic442]

But Cathy Freeman wasn't first from indigenous people to win gold, there was one in field hockey team that won gold 4 years before.

[@durojaiyejames3488]

I watched 2000 olympics on TV in London . I can honestly say, I have never wanted someone to win more I did for Cathy that day. When she did I cheered and cried. In my 10 Olympics memories. ❤

[@nelliebpink13]

This race was definitely a highlight for the games that year.....the heart that she put into those last 60 meters is what made it a spectacular race!

[@mlk27743]

Get a grip - it was guaranteed she would win. our other athletes out performed her - we won a total of 16 gold, 25 silver and 17 bronze & Cathy only won one gold medal. so no her race was not the highlight.

[@droland3949]

@@mlk27743 why are you hating all throughout this comment thread?

[@sockpuppetbitme]

Brings tears to the eyes to watch this. What she did for her people and this country as a whole was phenomenal. Thanks for your tireless pursuit, Cathy. What you gave us was worth more than silver or gold.

[@cams6586]

23 years ago today. Dropped in to watch it as I rarely do, bawled my eyes out as I always do. Cathy Freeman GOAT.

[@melishahardy3917]

That’s is my auntie right there my mums cousin my auntie she inspired me so much I love you

[@smiledon77]

Proud

[@tundetheepic8631]

nice :)

[@miltonyannis3719]

Your aunt Cathy would be over the moon if she could read your words!

[@josefinwallstrom7907]

@@miltonyannis3719 why wouldn’t she be able to read it tho

[@miltonyannis3719]

@@josefinwallstrom7907 Well, just substitute "if she were to" for "if she could", to get my original intent.

[@WreckageandDisaster]

I remember being 10 and watching this. Seeing her win gold for Australia was the best thing ever. I can't wait for us to host the Olympics again

[@rohanprobst9295]

I keep watching this over the years as the most admirable thing I have ever seen. I believe a historic moment in Australian history not just because she won but the way she won and believed amongst immense pressure. She flew and a testament to the depth of talent our owners have. I worship with awe.

[@banjopiggottwright1802]

As something who was born in 2002, watching this race on YT and hearing people talk about their experiences during that race always gives me goosebumps and makes feel proud to be Australian.

[@mikemather5]

So proud of her! You can see every emotion imaginable on her face at the end.

[@Lokicollectables]

i english and i was proud and still come back to watch this just way she crosses line , words tears did not needed to be said what it meant to her

[@sonnybill8271]

Australians have no idea of how much NZ fell in love with her ❤ I remember watching her win with my parents crying tears of joy for her and Australia 🥹

[@sallyburke3266]

Love you kath 😘 as an indigenous Australian I'm so proud of what you accomplished what a great role model for not only indigenous Australians but for everyone 👍💖

[@sallyburke3266]

@Life Is Peachy living her Best Life being a role model for all indigenous people 😁👍

[@bigalan1942]

The pressure on Cathy was enormous. Truly one of the greatest sporting races I have seen.

[@hackihappyganesh7797]

Even here in Germany that was a great Story that she did it! Unforgettable.

[@lanaconin5704]

I was in the stadium for this race. Never in my life heard anything so loud as when she won, we went crazy. She’s such a legend.

[@RobertSinclair-xe3pt]

My eyes had tears in them for her victory I was rooting for her from Jamaica

[@D800Lover]

The single greatest highlight of what many said was the greatest Olympics up to that time. The stadium held 120.000 and a record too. It was full to the brim that evening. 0:34

[@Diego2609]

I love this woman. From Brazil. 🇦🇺🏅

[@alpeena]

I searched for this due to Sydney from the US running at DOHA this week......I loved Cathy...so elegant and fast

[@ruanitaroe8189]

DEADLY!!!! Running on her OWN land ...

[@jennifernguyen8910]

21 years later I’m getting goosebumps all over my face this one before when I was born I was born in 2012

[@Repomidnight]

Every Australia rememberers where they were this night. One of the most iconic moments in our nation’s history.

[@alienjack6375]

Nah I didn't even exist

[@ursulaclarke4968]

Cathy - I am so enjoying reading your story "Cathy Her own story ", you inspire me to keep trying at life to the full. Your dreams came true by your own hard work and concentration. You are still my Australian hero!

[@yesmate-vt5ln]

She is a trailblazer. Many Aussie Athletes looked up to her and some arent even in the track and fields. She inspired alot of people that night.

[@strings2wood]

Humility, grace, deep and child hearted person. Excellent role model, champion and human of immeasurable Spirit. We are better because of her. Thank You for your gifts to everyone.

[@thepikachuoftexas3871]

WHERES MY SUPER SUIT!

[@MrAMYJACK]

you would mean a condom yes ?

[@TolbertTv]

The Pikachu of Texas stoppp🤣🤣🤣

[@StravaFaste]

@@MrAMYJACK What are you on about

[@jamespemberton4794]

I, argh..., put it away. Why do you need to know?

[@aquamelon0087]

When you ask for your super suit only to find your wife took it to wear at the olympics

[@mothertree]

Everyone should be proud of Cathy..I think we all are!

[@brownkiddy77]

I remember watching this on Tv. Still get chills! Awesome run by Cathy

[@matthewbingapore2101]

notice in the beginning the official in blue standing behind Cathy you can tell by her body language and her face that she's really nervous but she's excited for her it was a moment that everybody was just waiting for. xo

[@Ban2Media]

I was there in Sydney working as a camera operator, right there on the frontline when she won.

[@FactBuffet]

This was the only gold medal that Australia won in athletics at the Sydney Olympics!

[@reginacarelse213]

I will never forget this woman this was one epic moment she run like she's moved by wind

[@BatMan-oe2gh]

I remember watching this from Perth, and when she won, I went outside and I could hear the roar from NSW and all over Australia. A proud moment for Cathy and her people, Australians and Indigenous Australians alike.

[@Axehand]

Still gives me chills, what a performance.

[@wilsonmcc1]

If you weren’t living in Australia for the build up to these Olympics I don’t think you’d understand the weight of public expectation that was on her shoulders, which was only heightened when she lit the Olympic flame in the cauldron. To go out and brush all that off and win gold on the night is a truly phenomenal achievement, and why most Aussies will recollect this as the biggest sporting achievement in our history.

[@ruanitaroe8189]

That was for EVERY Aboriginal person who was treated badly, unfairly, and made to feel like the lowest class of peoples in their OWN land. If you cry every time you watch this then you understand.

[@duaruatolu2025]

Still gives me goosebumps ... that was a special night, a very special minute (well less than) in time for Aussies. There was so much tension in the atmosphere ... and this was just in my living room in Sydney. Cathy, the golden girl. I can just imagine her running when young, barefoot through the Aussie outback, that yellow setting sun against the red earth and slowly blackening sky, the stars of the southern cross slowly making an appearance. Pure romanticism.

[@charki40]

This comment is beautiful. I can see it too.

[@sureyyaekinci4630]

Now you made me cry such a lovely comment

[@adam872]

Still smile when I watch this. It was such a great moment as an Australian and for her personally as she has always represented herself, her family and her people with such distinction. As a former runner, I also really enjoyed watching her relaxed form while she was racing too: nice long stride, good cadence. She looked effortless in that final, though I can say from experience that running the 400 is anything but.

[@adamyup7086]

One of the more inspirational moments in Aus sport history. Cathy Freeman you absolute legend!

[@APerson4889-g5f]

She won by a mile! Magical moment.

[@biojockey]

I remember watching Cathy Freeman's epic win on live TV in 2000. Still gives me goosebumps.

[@rodrigocoutinho3486]

This moment is special!!!!

[@KTDApayday]

congrats on your win. you won a silver in 96 and came back for a gold in Sydney

[@marleyrichardson5416]

20 years ago exactly..today the 25th Sep....I cry...this was the day we noticed Aboriginal people can do anything and we are all the same...Cathy Freeman gave all of Australia a gift that will last forever!

[@squidjames7735]

From 0:26, you can see the reaction of the official lady towards Cathy getting prepped up for the race. The love, the smile, the warmth, the solidarity, the understanding, then the slight roll of the shoulders and deep breaths ... in unity with the crowd in union with Cathy. Advance fair, my beautiful country.

[@spello8191]

Words can’t really express my complete admiration for this woman...

[@justinwhite6903]

True i was just watching this already knowing the outcome screaming GO Cath GO Cath😊😊😊

[@roxanax9015]

What an icon! Love her!

[@spaceorbison]

@yortzandat the fuq

[@owenoreilly122]

One of the best races I've seen run, considering the many external factors she had upon her shoulders, entire nation, world and favourite status by media, she had such relaxed flow, leg speed and poise. Second only to the great sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner.

[@davidseq1714]

Florence was a drug cheat please do t compare Cathy to her.

[@dannytq]

One of the most iconic moments in Australian sporting history!

[@whatdidyousay3038]

No aussie can replace Cathy Freeman and Sally Pearson nowadays.

[@ianmarsden1130]

She ran like a true human being. I'm English and I was so proud of her.

[@simonjohnson177]

I never get sick of this epic win. Well done Cathy!

[@judexavier1929]

My dad saw a tennis match right beside the athletics stadium and when he was at the train station going home he could here the crowd cheering and as the race started the volume just slowly rose until she won it got really loud.

[@TheLastOilMan]

I had just become an Australian citizen that year ! Thanks Kath

[@diodoruscronus]

Loved watching this live. Very proud

[@naturelove4448]

my hero, and Australia's national treasure! ✌

[@kellyannfrancis6369]

Today September 25 2024 marks 24 years since I witnessed this extraordinary race, congratulations again Cathy, much love from Jamaica.

[@mistayuto]

Cathy Freeman one of the all time great Aussie athletes. Legend!

[@nathj4818]

The WHOLE of Australia cheered Cathy from the start and I for one shed a tear of happiness with and for her at the finish,I LOVE CATHY 😘❤🇦🇺

[@mlk27743]

I didn't cheer for Cathy as I knew she would win - it was a no brainer and that suit was pathetic.

[@papadem07]

24yrs on Wow🎉🎉

[@harryathanasiadis]

What a moment for her and Australia 😍

[@angelachikaebirim8894]

I still get chills watching this. Cathy Freeman was the Australian poster girl of Athletics, a proud Aborigine. There was so much pressure on her to win. This moment made her a global superstar

[@MrAMYJACK]

I am getting on in years and like to go back in time to remember things that had water running down my face, there are many and this Girl's Life isn't a sad water it's a Proud Water for Her and the Heritage has given me.

[@dennismurray703]

A recent vote by readers of The Guardian saw this easily declared as Australia's Greatest Sporting Moment. Was there any every doubt? Cathy was an exceptional talent, a great champion, and was and remains a truly wonderful person.

[@erictheviking1977]

I remember watching this live on TV, a fantastic moment.

[@WahineToa85]

Can't believe this was 21 years ago I still remember it like it was yesterday

[@Rachy2049]

My parents often tell me how they listened to her winning the gold on the radio as they drove over the Iron Cove Bridge, being able to see the Olympic park where she was racing in the distance.

[@TAJEEish]

Millions of hearts won by Cathay

[@biisd3137]

I don’t know why but I wanted to cry 😳

[@danilgz]

Goosebumps..every time this plays...😇

[@sparrowhawk4245]

dont know why but its so touching my heart😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@Diego2609]

She marked my childhood, I really admire this great woman.

[@trevorwaninara7570]

I can remember watching Cathy Freeman running at the Sydney 2000 Olympics on tv. I was in Australia in primary school doing grade seven and watched the opening and closing of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

[@thylacine1004]

Best moment of any Olympics for me.

[@swyke]

The Olympics at it's best, etched into my memory, 'Cos I'm free...'

[@dimitrigeorgiadis6133]

I remember watching this piece of history live ❤️

[@Mia15239]

this makes me feel everything. she's beautiful.

[@graemehilzinger8519]

Couldnt get over how long her stride was. What a great moment in Australian sport.

[@eluceanlestelle]

Solo in momenti come questi si capisce chi è un campione vero! Cathy Freeman aveva una pressione immensa su di sé ,tutto lo stadio e tutta l'Australia tifavano per lei.Ha avuto soprattutto la freddezza di sostenere tutta questa tensione.E' nella Storia.

[@emiliatwomey6814]

Cathy Freeman, Peter Snell, Seb Coe, every day humans who attained the Extraordinary.