Cathy Freeman lighting the Olympic cauldron will be forever etched in Australia’s memory. Cathy, as she always has did her nation, her race and herself proud. She’s overcome obstacles (her grandmother was one of the stolen generation and both her parents were raised on missions), and has been twice world champion. Only Olympic gold eludes her. On the eve of the 400-metre race that may finally see her win that gold medal, 60 Minutes looks at Cathy’s story. Jeff McMullen reports on the shy girl who became not just a superlative athlete but a strong, confident woman and a stirring role model for indigenous Australia.

Catherine the Great (2000)

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For forty years, 60 Minutes have been telling Australians the world’s greatest stories. Tales that changed history, our nation and our lives. Reporters Liz Hayes, Allison Langdon, Tara Brown, Charles Wooley, Liam Bartlett and Sarah Abo look past the headlines because there is always a bigger picture. Sundays are for 60 Minutes.

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