Cathy Freeman

Adrian McGregor

She is young, beautiful, Aboriginal. She is a world champion twice over, an Olympic medallist and one of Australia's greatest gold medal hopes for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. She is Cathy Freeman and this is her story so far - a journey just begun. In many ways this young woman, who still has her whole life ahead of her, reflects the complexity of modern Australia. She has progressed from being a shy young girl who, along with her peers, felt shame at being black in a white world, to a confident, assertive, outward-looking woman. A woman who could proudly brandish both the Australian and Aboriginal flags at her 1994 Commonwealth Games and 1997 World Championship victories. But behind this increasingly iconic figure there is a very real young woman who, though appearing to be moving effortlessly tówards greater and greater success, has been tackling her own demons and coming to terms with her hopes and ambitions. Award winning journalist Adrian McGregor gets to the heart and soul of Cathy Freeman: from the roots of her sporting prowess handed down from her father and grandfather, both champion footballers, to the emotional strength and courage she inherited from her mother and grandmother; and takes us inside Team Freeman, the support team dedicated to her advancement. McGregor provides a fascinating insight into the world of international athletics and elite sport performed at the highest level: the rivalries, the camaraderie, the frustrations and triumphs - and of the extraordinary sacrifices and passion required to become a world champion.