World Champion Freeman back on Grand Prix Circuit
1 February
1999 - Athletics Australia, in conjunction with Optus Communications, have announced that
world 400m champion Cathy Freeman will compete in this Saturday's Optus Grand Prix in
Canberra.
Freeman, who missed last weeks Optus Grand Prix in Adelaide with a sore quadricep, will
run the 200m in her first domestic Grand Prix appearance since winning the 400m at the
Optus Grand Prix Final in Brisbane last March.
Freeman, who also missed the second half of last years European Grand Prix circuit and the
Commonwealth Games with a foot injury, confirmed her fitness with a solid training session
in Melbourne over the weekend. Her manager Nick Bideau said in Melbourne today,
"Cathy ran hills and trained very aggressively. She will be ready to race at top
speed in Canberra."
Cathy will clash in Canberra with Australia's latest female sprinting sensation Tania Van
Heer. Van Heer has been the dominant performer so far this season, having won the 100m at
the opening leg of the Optus Grand Prix Series in Perth and then easily taking the sprint
double in Adelaide on Australia Day.
Saturday's race will be the first time that Freeman and Van Heer have clashed since Van
Heer shot to prominence with a glorious medal haul at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala
Lumpur.