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Freeman urged to boost Aboriginal cause

By Paul Tait

Cathy Freeman returns to Olympic stadium Sydney to launch the Close the Gap campaign - 2007

16 July 2003 - Cathy Freeman has only just called time on her athletics career but politicians are already urging the Olympic champion to use her fame to improve the status of Aborigines in Australia.

The 400m gold medallist announced her retirement on Tuesday, leaving question marks about the future of a woman who gracefully bridges the often bitter divide between black and white Australia.

Opposition Labour leader Simon Crean said she could use her standing to promote indigenous issues and reconciliation.

'I know I've made a lot of people happy'
"I think that she is a person committed to reconciliation in this country and using her sport and her presence to advance that cause," said Crean.

"Anyone who can do that has clearly got a future in politics if they choose to pursue it."

The 30-year-old, who is uncomfortable with being a figurehead for Aborigines, has not said what she plans to do.

Her silence has left room for Australian commentators to speculate on a future in indigenous affairs, the media, marketing or politics.

Aden Ridgeway, Australia's only Aboriginal parliamentarian, said Freeman should be left alone after her retirement decision and recent marriage break-up.

"The last thing she needs is to be badgered by politicians and political parties," said Ridgeway.

Freeman is easily the most recognisable Aborigine in Australia.

Her 49,11-second triumph in front of 112 524 fans in Sydney and millions of television viewers worldwide on September 25, 2000, has been described as Australia's defining Olympic moment.

"I'm proud to be an indigenous Australian," said Freeman after a victory lap draped in Australia's national flag and the striking red, yellow and gold Aboriginal flag.

"I know I've made a lot of people happy, from all kinds of backgrounds who call Australia home and I'm happy."

But her experience of fame and fortune is vastly different from the majority of indigenous people, who remain Australia's most disadvantaged group after 227 years of white settlement.

Australia's 400 000 Aborigines make up about two percent of the population. They die on average 20 years younger than other Australians, suffer staggering rates of alcohol and drug abuse and are 20 times more likely to end up in jail.

Conservative Prime Minister John Howard, a self-confessed sports fanatic, described Freeman as "a wonderful Australian".

"I thank her for all the joy and thrills she's brought to her sport and to Australia and particularly the credit that her dignified performances have brought to the indigenous community of our country," said Howard.

But Howard has angered indigenous Australians for his refusal to apologise for past wrongs such as the forced removal of children from their families, labelling it a "black armband view of history".

At the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Canada, Freeman's victory lap carrying the Aboriginal flag after she won gold highlighted the racial divisions which remain in Australia.

Her celebration earned a rebuke from then team chief Arthur Tunstall.

Freeman's achievements on the global stage of Olympic athletics eclipsed the feats of other great Aboriginal sportspeople like rugby union's Ella brothers and even French Open and Wimbledon tennis champion Evonne Goolagong Cawley.

Source:The Independent (South Africa)

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