Games: Freeman denies Games are irrelevant
By Guy Hand
MELBOURNE, Aug 7 AAP - Cathy Freeman today strenuously defended the Commonwealth Games,saying criticisms the event was no longer relevant were "absolute rubbish".
Freeman, who was part of the gold medal-winning women's 4x400m team, said the CommonwealthGames was an important event and its relevance should not be played down.
"I absolutely disagree," Freeman said when asked whether the Games had lost its importance.
"For athletes traditionally it's such a fantastic stepping stone to greater thingsdown the track and in the future.
"That's absolute rubbish. Don't undermine the Commonwealth Games."
Freeman has a special connection with the Commonwealth Games, winning a 4x100m relaygold medal in 1990 aged 16 before rising to national fame with 200m and 400m gold at the1994 Games.
Along with swimming superstar Ian Thorpe, the Olympic 400m gold medallist drew thebiggest cheers from the tens of thousands of well-wishers at today's welcome home paradethrough Melbourne's city centre.
"You get very sore cheeks from smiling," Freeman said of the reception the team had received.
"When you realise how much happiness you bring to so many people, it's so fulfilling.
"You don't realise a smile can lift so many spirits. It's amazing. I'm very proud tobe here today."
Freeman also played down comments in her English newspaper column that she wanted torun the last leg of the gold medal relay, rather than the second leg.
"I'm just happy I've got a gold medal, happy to have run and represented Australia,"
Freeman said.
"I've got other priorities in my life right now, but no hard feelings whatsoever."
Freeman did not return to Australia this morning with the rest of the Games team.
She returned to Melbourne on Saturday to be with her husband Sandy Bodecker, who isbattling throat cancer.
AAP gh/mg/sb
KEYWORD: GAMES FREEMAN
No comments:
Post a Comment