Cathy Freeman joins the GC2018 Ambassador family

Legendary Australian sprinter Cathy Freeman OAM became the sixth official Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Ambassador today.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones welcomed Ms Freeman to the GC2018 family at an event in Brisbane’s CBD.

Ms Palasczuk said Ms Freeman was an Australian icon and an ideal ambassador for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“Born and raised in Queensland, Cathy has a strong connection with our state and the Commonwealth Games,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“We are absolutely thrilled Cathy has joined us on the GC2018 journey as an official ambassador to promote the Games to the world.

“Cathy became a household name around the world after her historic 400m gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

“Seventeen years later, it’s still regarded as one of Australia’s most significant sporting achievements.

“Like all Australians, I truly admired watching Cathy as an athlete and I also admire the work and achievements of her foundation with Indigenous youth.”

Ms Jones said Cathy Freeman joined Sally Pearson OAM, Cameron McEvoy, Anna Meares OAM, Laura Geitz and Kurt Fearnley OAM as the latest member of the GC2018 Ambassador family.

“We are thrilled Cathy has signed on to be the sixth member of this special group of high-profile GC2018 Ambassadors,” Ms Jones said.

“Cathy is an Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallist who has lived and breathed international competition and knows what it takes to compete at the highest level.

“Along with the other ambassadors, Cathy will play a very special role in promoting the Games to the world.

“With just 320 days until the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, now is the time for all of us to get excited and plan our own Games experiences.

“Time is running out for all of us to register our interest for tickets, so don’t miss out.

“Before midnight on Monday 22 May, we all need to work out which GC2018 events we’d like to see and jump online to request tickets.”

At today’s ceremony Ms Freeman was today presented with a commemorative GC2018 surfboard – an iconic keepsake of the Gold Coast lifestyle.

“The Commonwealth Games provided special moments for me as an athlete and to be involved in GC2018 as an ambassador at this time is exciting,” Ms Freeman said.

“With less than one year until the Games start both athletes and spectators are getting excited.

“I know the excitement and pressures of competing in an Olympic Games on home soil.

“It was an amazing period in my life and Sydney 2000 was a special moment for sport in Australia and I can only imagine the Gold Coast will provide the same experience for the current group of Australian athletes.

“I’m excited to join such a special group of athletes as a GC2018 Ambassador and spread the word about the Games. Australia has a long history of delivering successful major sporting events and the Gold Coast won’t be any different.”

Ms Freeman was the first female Aboriginal athlete to win gold at a Commonwealth Games, at Auckland in 1990 at age 16. In 1994, she won gold in both the 200m and 400m at the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada.

Ms Freeman retired from international competition in 2003 and founded the Cathy Freeman Foundation in 2007 to help broaden horizons and inspire Indigenous students to experience their full potential in school. Ms Freeman has also played a mentor role for some of Australia’s best athletes, including 400m Champion Morgan Mitchell.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will run from 4 - 15 April 2018. Ticket requests are open until 11:59pm (AEST) on 22 May 2017. Spectators can submit their ticket requests online via gc2018.com/tickets. For more information on the Games visit www.gc2018.com.

Media contact:

Premier's Office:          Geoff Breusch 0417 272 875

Minister Jones’ Office: Emma Clarey 0437 069 516