A whole new generation of athletes have taken to the world stage since Cathy Freeman's historic performance at the Olympic Games in Sydney. But the iconic Olympic champion's love for the games has not wavered in the past 24 years, and watching Team Australia's best-ever performance in Paris has filled her with pride. "It just makes me feel so proud to see our Aussies out there, you know, mixing it up with the best in the world," Freeman tells 9honey.
READ MORE: Prince Harry's team in disarray after incredible move Our athletes in green and gold took home a record-breaking 18 gold medals this year, with the likes of Mollie O'Callaghan , Ariarne Titmus , Jess and Noemie Fox , and Kaylee McKeown among others, joining Freeman in the hall of gold medal fame. Freeman, who has recently partnered with Ancestry for the launch of the AncestryDNA® performance traits, is undeniably thrilled by the performance Australia put on over the past two weeks. "We, as a nation, punch above our weight.
This has been the finest performance ever this year," she explains. But it's so much more than the medal tally to her; Freeman beams with pride as she recalls watching the action over the past two weeks. While the 53 total medals are undoubtedly impressive, Freeman says it's so much more about the mindset with which our Aussie athletes take to the global competition.
"It's just the way in which us Aussies have this mindset of, you know, 'We can be giants like everybody else' ...
That's actually really moving. It makes me feel so proud," she says. That pride can also be transferred to Jessica Hull, who made history in the track and field events this year, becoming the first Australian woman to medal in the 1500m event.
Freeman says watching Hull's silver medal-winning athleticism is captivating. "I see in her such a magnetic, bright, beautiful woman. It's hard not to be kind of captured, captivated or drawn into her story," she says.
"She's a fabulous role model and a wonderful example of possibility to all Australians, especially young Australians." READ MORE: 'I had to say something': Grandma's tip after disagreeing with daughter For Freeman, seeing this new generation of athletes continue to push forward in the name of their sport while carrying with them the classic Australian 'give it a go' attitude is exciting. "It restores my excitement about the future, especially seeing young people thrive and do so well on the world stage who are unafraid to get out there and give it their all," she says.
This excitement for the future of sport is especially evident as she considers the modern advancements that sport has seen. Freeman's recent partnership with Ancestry has opened her eyes to the ways in which examining our DNA can provide insight to our performance traits. READ MORE: Here's where to find a TV under $1000, right now Ancestry recently launched 30 new Performance Traits that reveal how DNA influences athletic ability.
Freeman, among other world-class athletes, put her DNA to the test to see where she lands in each area. She says it has been an eye-opening experience to learn about her natural traits and thinks it's something others could benefit from as well. "If it wasn't for these DNA results, I wouldn't have understood my nature as much as what I do now," she explains.
"So maybe athletes should jump online and compare their traits to myself and the other elite athletes and – get inspired". FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE : Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private d.
