Freeman
enjoying being away from pressures in London
Erica Bulman (AP)
25 July 2000 – London - Cathy Freeman has been out of sight in Australia in recent months, though certainly not out of mind.
The 27-year-old is the two-time reigning 400-metre world champion and Australia's best chance for gold on the track at the Sydney Olympics.
Freeman trained with American coach John Smith and his squad of elite athletes in Los Angeles at the beginning of May, and is currently based in London - far from the pressures Down Under.
``I love the fact I'm not well-known here,'' Freeman said at a news conference Monday to promote the Aug. 5 British Grand Prix meet. ``I am unaware of the hype and the way the media see me. At home there is so much attention, my management group has to take care of 90 percent of my calls.
``Here it's more peaceful. Sure I hear about things from my mother, she'll call me up and say, `What were you thinking?' and she worries for me but I'm pretty unaware of the rest of what's going on.''
Organisers of the news conference would not allow reporters to ask any questions regarding Freeman's political views or personal life.
The Australian runner has been the focus of attention in Australia over the past year for off-the-track issues.
A week ago, Freeman made headlines when she accused Australian government leaders of insensitivity for refusing to apologise for the forced removal of aboriginal children from their homes in the 1950s and 60s.
Last month, Freeman came under fire from the same indigenous groups for taking part in a Nike TV advertisement which they alleged exploited the Aboriginal reconciliation process.
Freeman was also engaged in court action in the Victorian Supreme Court, after firing long-term manager and former boyfriend Nick Bideau, in May. Bideau and the Melbourne International Track Club for whom he works, were suing her for breach of contract, seeking damages, though the suit was postponed until after the Olympics.
Freeman marred American Nike executive Sandy Bodecker last September.
While the attention she receives in Australia is intense, it is not unappreciated, Freeman insists.
``It's flattering, they take me so seriously,'' said Freeman, who will return to Melbourne in early September. ``They are really supportive.
``In Australia, it's like catching up with old friends except it's strangers in the street,'' she joked. ``They embrace me in their hearts and in their minds and I'm always invited to lunch.I'll never go hungry in my country.''
In the relative quiet of London, Freeman has been preparing for the Sept. 15-Oct. 1 Olympics and all that leads up to it.
One of her principle goals is to keep her unbeaten record intact ahead of the games.
Freeman, looking to become the first Australian Aborigine in history to win Olympic gold, has gone unbeaten both this season and last, and has the fastest time in the world this year (49.56 seconds).
``It's really important to keep that record,'' Freeman said. ``It's important to keep that edge. It's not a good scenario if an athlete is depressed or is worried about things. That's not healthy. So it's important to maintain your form and results.''
But defending her record could be tough.
After next weekend's Golden League meeting in Oslo, Freeman will face all of her top rivals at the British Grand Prix at Crystal Palace in what could be a preview of the 400-metre final in Sydney.
The London field will include France's Marie Jose Perec (the 1992 and 1996 Olympic champion), Britain's Katharine Merry (also unbeaten this year), Germany's Grit Breuer (the reigning world indoor champion), Jamaica's Sandie Richards (the 1997 world silver medallist) and Morocco's Nezha Bidouane (the former world 400 hurdles champion).
Freeman said she is most wary of Perec, who has only recently made a comeback after a battle with Epstein Barr syndrome, a debilitating virus which manifests itself as chronic fatigue.
``I would be dishonest if I said I wasn't scared,'' Freeman said. ``I know when she's in shape she's very dangerous.
``But there is always the contrary side to the coin. With fear there is an amazing element of arrogance that pays off and settles you down.''