Surprising truth about Cathy Freeman’s 2000 Olympics gold medal

When Cathy Freeman won gold at the Sydney Olympics, her immediate reaction was disappointment. One look she gave revealed why.

Our Indigenous athletes have been responsible for some of Australia’s most memorable sporting moments.

From Cathy Freeman’s golden run at the 2000 Olympics, to Nicky Winmar taking a stand at the MCG in 1993, to Ash Barty winning the French Open in 2019. And there have been some absolutely cracking photos capturing these incredible sportsmen and women doing what they do best.

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Here’s a selection of just some of the awesome snaps featuring the cream of our Indigenous sporting talent over the years, as we celebrate the launch of Indigenous Sport Month.

Indigenous Sport Month will highlight the athletic and moral heroism of Indigenous athletes, but also the moments that inspire, signify progress, and bring change.

The goal of Indigenous Sport Month is to engage, educate and empower all Australians on the successes, challenges and triumphs of Indigenous athletes.

Surprising truth about Cathy going for gold

Immediately after crossing the finish line first in the 400m final at the Sydney Games, when TV cameras caught her looking to the side then shaking her head, there was more agony than ecstasy for Freeman.

She actually stole a glance at her time and was disappointed she didn’t run faster.

“Another thing that burns away at me is I know I could have run faster than what I actually have, but that’s fine,” Freeman told Mark Howard in a 2017 episode of his podcast The Howie Games.

“I actually crossed the line, looked across at the time — 49.11 (seconds) — I was immediately disappointed because I would have loved to have run 48 (seconds).

“I just remember leaning over, putting my hands around my knees and just shaking my head.

“I was not happy.

“It’s a mighty occasion. I don’t mean to sound like a Debbie Downer, but that’s just who I am.”

Freeman was a hard marker.

Her own disappointment aside, nobody who saw Freeman’s victory will ever forget the way she celebrated by draping herself in the Australian and Aboriginal flags as she completed one of the most famous victory laps in Australian sports history.

There was no better sight in Sydney than Freeman charging down the straight in her full-body suit.

As good as it gets.

This was the moment everyone was waiting for.

Nicky takes a stand

In 1993, St Kilda star Nicky Winmar lifted his guernsey and pointed to his stomach, telling Australia: “I’m black and I’m proud.” The AFL player had been racially abused by Collingwood supporters that day, but wasn’t going to sit back and take it anymore. This picture by John Feder remains one of the most iconic photos ever taken not just in footy, but Australian sport.

Greg the Goanna

Pulling out the goanna crawl became a trademark of rugby league star Greg Inglis. He famously brought it out after scoring the final try in South Sydney’s grand final win over the Bulldogs in 2014, and this effort was just as impressive. Playing for the Indigenous All-Stars in 2015, Inglis knew there was only one way to celebrate when he touched down for a four pointer. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt.

Mini-me is everyone’s favourite Ash

Ash Barty was destined for greatness from a young age. This photo gets trotted out far more than the tennis star would like, and first went viral when she won her maiden grand slam at the French Open in 2019. Not a lot has changed for Barty, who still spends most of her life with a tennis racquet in one hand and a trophy — or perhaps a celebratory beer — in the other. Picture: ashbarty/Instagram.

Never has Barty’s humility been more evident than in this snap taken the moment she’d realised she’d won her first ever major in Paris. The down-to-earth girl from Queensland couldn’t believe she’d just secured one of tennis’ most prized trophies in the city of lights. The only thing this photo doesn’t capture? A stunned Barty dropping a rogue f-bomb, because she was in so much shock. Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images.

Evonne looks effortless on court

With a backhand like this, you’d think Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s on-court feats would be hard to top — but she’s had just as big an impact off the court as on it. The seven-time grand slam champion — which include four Australian Opens and two Wimbledon titles — is one of the greatest tennis players Australia has ever produced. A proud Wiradjuri woman, Cawley has worked tirelessly to promote equal opportunities for Indigenous Australians in all areas of life, becoming a co-patron of Reconciliation Australia and receiving countless honours for championing the causes of Indigenous communities.

Giddy-up: Dizzy goes for a ride

As strange as it sounds for someone who played 71 Tests as a bowler, some of Jason Gillespie’s cricketing highlights actually came with the bat. There was his double ton against Bangladesh and this brilliant half century against New Zealand in 2004. Gillespie, the first Indigenous man to play Test cricket for Australia, had never raised his bat before this knock in Brisbane, and when he reached 50, celebrated by riding his bat like a horse. His maiden Test half century, finishing on 54 not out, will forever be remembered for his incredible 114-run, 10th wicket partnership with Glenn McGrath, who went on to score 61 — the only time “Pigeon” ever made it to 50 in his professional career. Photo: AP/Steve Holland.

Mickey O gets in Eagles’ faces

Michael O’Loughlin got up close and personal with West Coast fans in 2006 when he kicked a matchwinning goal to give the Swans a thrilling one-point victory in Perth and a home preliminary final to boot. Both sides of the fence gave as good as they got in this one, but the highlight has to be the vein popping out from our moustachioed mate’s neck. Photo: Phil Hillyard.

Adam Goodes leads the charge before teammate follows suit

Adam Goodes was getting booed but there was no way he was going to hide his culture. The racist trolls kept coming for him but the AFL superstar always took the high road. This moment during an Indigenous Round clash against Carlton in 2015 showed he wasn’t going to back down. Performing a traditional war dance after slamming home a goal, Goodes wanted everyone to know how proud he was of his heritage. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

The racist booing of Goodes deeply affected his Swans teammate Lewis Jetta. When Sydney travelled to Perth to play West Coast in 2015, the hostile crowd jeered Goodes every time he touched the ball. Jetta was sick of it, so when he kicked a goal early in the fourth quarter, slapped his arms and mimed throwing a spear. “He’s a superstar of the game, a superstar for the Swans, fans should show more respect for what he’s done for the game,” Jetta said. “All this booing stuff needs to be thrown out the window.” Photo: Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images.

Lionel rises to the top

Lionel Rose achieved national hero status when he became the first Indigenous boxer to win a world title by beating Japan’s Masahiko Harada in 1968. Here, you can see Rose — who was introduced to the sport by his father — standing over Harada having rocked his opponent with one of his trademark punches. Rose became the first Indigenous person to be crowned Australian of the year in 1968 in recognition of his world bantamweight title.

Latrell takes the lead

Latrell Mitchell has more talent than most footy players in Australia, and has become a leader for Indigenous issues by calling out racist abuse. Here is he representing the Indigenous All-Stars, leading the charge in a pre-match ritual to celebrate his culture. Full of passion, Mitchell is watched on by his teammates in the background. Picture: Evan Morgan.

Calling his troops to action, the Indigenous war cry before every All-Stars match will give you chills. Picture: Evan Morgan.

Big Artie gives birth to Origin

Arthur Beetson was Origin. The Roosters star captained Queensland in the first ever match against NSW in 1980, and was the reason it exploded into one of Australia’s fiercest sporting rivalries. Remembered as the godfather of Origin, Beetson was one of the toughest players to ever take a rugby league field. Here, fans are congratulating him after leading the Maroons to victory at Lang Park in what went down in history as the birth of Origin. Picture: Geoff McLachlan, The Courier-Mail.

No better sight than Cyril taking flight

We can hear Bruce McAvaney from here salivating over Cyril Rioli using two West Coast players as stepladders Picture: Mal Fairclough/AAP.

The Hawthorn star made opposition players look like fools when he went airborne. Picture: Wayne Ludbey.

Current cricketing crop keeps the Faith

Faith Thomas (left) is a legend of Australian sport you probably don’t know much about — but you should. She became the first Indigenous Australian to represent her country in a team sport. Not just cricket, not just women’s cricket, but any team sport. She dominated club cricket in Adelaide in the 1950s and played one Test for her country. Here she is, a smile as wide as Australia, rocking her baggy green, alongside Australian bowler Megan Schutt ahead of a WBBL match in Alice Springs for the Faith Thomas trophy. Thomas’ pioneering ways have left a lasting legacy on cricket Down Under. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images.

There are so many other awesome Indigenous athletes we could feature here. Think Anthony Mundine, Nova Peris, Patty Mills, the Ella brothers, Kyle Vander-Kuyp, Patrick Johnson, Polly Farmer — the list goes on.

You could fill up entire galleries with snaps of just some of these names in action — and no doubt there will be plenty more Indigenous athletes down the line who follow in their heroes’ footsteps.