Where were you . . . .

. . . . at 8.10pm on Monday, 25 September 2000? I don’t know any Australian who was over 10 or so at the time who can’t answer that question. They were either in the main Sydney Olympic Stadium at Homebush or glued to a television screen nervously waiting to see the hugely loved and respected Cathy Freeman compete in the Women’s 400m final. We all so much wanted Cathy to win, it hurt. The tension was palpable.
 
The nation roared when the starter’s gun went and we all screamed ‘Go, Cathy, go”. By about the half way mark it looked like she wasn’t going to make it. We held our breath. “Please, Cathy, please!!” And then that wonderful woman, that magnificent, superb athlete started to fly. Were her feet touching the ground?!  Australia was on its feet, tears pouring down cheeks. She flew past the opposition and SHE DID IT.
 
It only took 49.13 seconds but it felt like a lifetime. Cathy won with a margin of 0.47 seconds.
 
Cathy Freeman, a proud indigenous woman, united Australia in a way I had never seen before that 49.13 seconds and have never seen since. She is still hugely loved and respected. Thank you, Cathy. And, yes, we still have the stamps.

You can see the race here.