April highlights - April started off with a visit back to Stawell for the 2026 Stawell Gift. It has been 30 years since I won this race back in 1996, and it was amazing to take a trip down memory lane.
I was then incredibly honoured to receive my Order of Companion from her Excellency Sam Mostyn @gg_australia at Government House in Canberra. Such a special occasion which I loved sharing with my family and close friend.
The Australian Olympic Committee has launched the Australian Olympic Indigenous Athlete Scholarship. It aims to strengthen community leadership, grow First Nations representation across Olympic sport in Australia, and open doors to better life outcomes — in sport, in education, and well beyond.
"To every First Nations athlete, we see you, and today we back you" - AOC Indigenous Advisory Chair Patrick Johnson OLY.
"We've seen what is possible... Cathy Freeman coming into that final bend in the 400 metres. A @balapat 3-point shot for extra time. An @ashbarty Slice. @novaperis winning Olympic and Commonwealth gold or a @taliqua spike underneath the Eiffel Tower.
"First Nations athletes have represented this country with pride. So far we have had 66 known Indigenous Olympians. But these moments shouldn't be rare. They should be the standard."
#TeamAUS
We’re honoured to welcome @cathyfreeman to the Brisbane 2032 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group 👋
The Advisory Group plays a critical role in supporting the Brisbane 2032 Board on the direction, focus and success of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
With years of experience as an elite athlete, Cathy brings invaluable insight, strength, and perspective to help guide the future of sport.
#Brisbane2032 #Cathyfreeman #games #olympian
(ID. A series of photos announces that Cathy Freeman is joining the Brisbane 2032 advisory group. The photos are of Cathy today and at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.)
I am deeply honoured to be appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia.
I accept this recognition with humility and gratitude, and I share it with the many people who have supported me throughout my life — family, community, coaches, colleagues and friends.
Photo: Nick McArdle
What an incredible week back home in Mackay for the Run with Cathy schools event and the Women in Sport Breakfast! It was so special to spend time with the community and celebrate sport, connection, and the next generation of young athletes.
The announcement of the Cathy Freeman Sports Performance Centre — set to begin construction in 2026 at Harrup Park Country Club, Great Barrier Reef Arena — made the week even more memorable.
A huge shout-out to NIKE for providing caps for the winners — such a great touch that brought big smiles all around!
Feeling so grateful to have been part of this monumental event. 💛✨
Lots of laughs behind the scenes with the Channel 9 crew. It’s been such a joy revisiting those incredible Sydney 2000 memories. 💫 Part 1 of Sydney 2000: The Best Ever airs tonight at 8:40pm (AEST), with Part 2 tomorrow night — hope you can tune in. @channel9
Cathy Freeman - in her own words 🇦🇺
Today has marked 25 years since Freeman became Olympic 400m champion on home soil in Sydney - running 49.11 from lane six to win the gold medal 🥇
Freeman, in front of over 100,000 people at the Sydney Olympic Stadium, states she “felt like her feet weren’t touching the ground” and “the crowd were carrying me to the finish line” 🏃♀️
Speaking exclusively to AW, Freeman talks through that famous night under the lights in Syndey, the impact of it and how she became a symbol for something far bigger than sport 🌏
🎙️ @crumleye
Read the full exclusive interview with @cathyfreeman on the @athletics.weekly website 💻
We’ve been working on something special, 25 years in the making!
Join us for a 5-part series featuring Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe, presented by Anna Meares 💚💛
#MySydney2000 | #TeamAUS | @swimmingaustralia | @australianathletics
Honoured to be inducted into the Inaugural Stadium Australia Hall of Fame 🙏✨ This stadium will forever take me back to that unforgettable 400m final at Sydney 2000. Having my family’s name on a grandstand is deeply humbling — a connection that goes far beyond sport. @accorstadium
The legend that is @cathyfreeman needs no introduction. We were incredibly honoured and excited to sit down with Cathy to speak about her @olympics experience, what the moment felt like to win, to wear both the Australian and Indigenous flags, and what is important to her.
Read more in our #Exclusive interview with Cathy, in the link in bio.
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The Australian Women's Weekly Editor: @sophieted
Creative Director: @joshbeggs
Digital Editor: @orlaith_costello
Feature Interview: @sophieted
Videography and Edit: @stefanie.ford.photography
Feature Photography: @brewbevanphoto
Stylist: @mattiecronan
Styling Assistant: @lillyveitch
Hair: @bradmullinshair
Make-Up: @kristyanlow
Shoot & Photo Director: @floodles07
Social Media Content Producer: @lizz.wizz
Shot on location at Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation, Narrabeen.
We’re so excited, and honoured, to be featuring Australian Olympics champion @cathyfreeman as our October issue cover star! 🏅
Get a taste of Cathy’s magnetic energy behind the scenes on her cover shoot with #TheWeekly magazine, and read our exclusive interview with this Aussie legend at the #linkinbio
AND she’s our surprise guest at this weekend’s Health Summit in Melbourne, brought to you by @pricelineau , this Saturday 30 August!💪
The October issue goes on sale Thursday 4 September!
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Credits:
The Australian Women’s Weekly Editor: @sophieted
Creative Director: @joshbeggs
Digital Editor: @orlaith_costello
Feature Interview: @sophieted
Videography and Edit: @stefanie.ford.photography
Feature Photography: @brewbevanphoto
Stylist: @mattiecronan
Styling Assistant: @lillyveitch
Hair: @bradmullinshair
Make-Up: @kristyanlow
Shoot & Photo Director: @floodles07
Social Media Content Producer: @lizz.wizz
Shot on location at Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation, Narrabeen.
