LONDON — Double world champion Cathy Freeman on Monday stressed the importance of remaining unbeaten in the build-up to the Sydney Olympic Games.
The Australian begins her Olympic countdown when she meets three-time Olympic champion Marie-Jose Perec of France and Great Britain’s Katherine Merry over 400 metres at an international meeting in London on 5 August.
Freeman admitted the fear of losing was motivating her as she prepared for the Games.
‘The most important thing is to remain positive,’ she said. ‘If I lose it will have a terrible effect on my preparation. There would be nothing worse than to head for Sydney after a defeat in London.
‘I am not scared about the prospect of facing Marie-Jose because I thrive on competition.
‘I hope she recovers from her illness and is healthy for the Olympics. If she can it will be a great final. I’m also looking forward to racing against Katherine.
‘I met her for the first time 10 years ago at the world junior championships and since she has made the step up to the one-lap distance and joined up with Linford Christie’s training group she has made a real mark.’
Freeman, the fastest woman in the world this year over 400 metres, explained the importance of her training regime in England and hinted the idea of being out of the spotlight was improving her chances of capturing gold in Sydney.
‘Back home there is wonderful support for me, strangers in the street embrace me as though I am their best friend. I really have entered their hearts and minds,’ Freeman said.
‘In England I am not particularly well known and can train without much fuss. There is an abundance of facilities within a close proximity. London is like my second home.’
Freeman, the first Aboriginal athlete to capture an Olympic medal, scoffed at suggestions she was finding it difficult to cope with the pressure the Australian media was applying.
‘If people are talking about my chances back home it proves they are taking me seriously,’ Freeman said.
‘I think I am handling the pressure quite well at the moment. However, running is not my whole life and if I don’t win the gold medal life will go on.’
David Parsons Reuters
Source: SOCOG