Freemen runs in 400 metres relay
AFP
9 March 2002 – Hobart, Australia - Cathy Freeman Saturday ran her first 400m since
becoming Australia’s hero by winning gold at the Sydney Olympics.
It might have been only a relay run which wasn’t officially timed, but Freeman said it was lovely to be back.
In her first 400 since winning Olympic gold in Sydney almost 18 months ago, Freeman ran the second leg in a 4x400 relay at an athletics meeting here.
She took over the baton about five metres behind Katerina Dressler, quickly passed her and completed the circuit about three metres in front.
Her time was estimated between 51.5 and 52.5 seconds.
Freeman earlier ran in a 200 metres which was close to a carbon copy of her return to serious competition in the same event in Melbourne on Thursday night.
Lauren Hewitt won decisively in 23.18 seconds from Jodi Lambert and Sharon Cripps, with Freeman a fast-finishing fourth in 23.71 seconds.
Freeman said it was a thrill to return to the 400.
“The 400 is mine,” she said. “It’s my baby.”
She said she felt strong in the race: “I went out a little bit hard only because Kate was in front of me,” she said. “I was a little bit concerned about my hamstring after the 200, but was determined to ignore the discomfort and not be so scared.”
She said the hamstring twinge was minor and a result of speed work and she would not have run if she had thought there was a danger of serious damage.
Freeman said she could return to her old best. “I’m only 29 and I’m loving it more than ever,” she said. “I love the sense of strength, mentally, emotionally and physically.”
