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"I felt so full of gratitude and humility that I clasped my hands in front of me, closed my eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks to God - I had at last achieved something I'd wanted for so long. My insides bubbled with happiness. It was a dream come true. "

"Realise there is always somebody else in the World who's not coping as well as you are. "

"I want to be a positive role model, especially for kids and Aboriginal people... When people see me, often all they see is another Australian athlete having a go. It isn't until they see the full Cathy Freeman picture that they realise how proud I am of my ancestry and heritage. I'd like a little more tolerance and acceptance of my culture and all the differing cultures that make up Australia."

"I was just totally overwhelmed. I could feel the crowd totally over me, all around me; I felt everyone's emotions being absorbed into every pore of my body. "

"Disappointment and adversity can be catalysts for greatness. There's something particularly exciting about being the hunter, as opposed to the hunted. And that can make for powerful energy."

"This has been a dream of mine ever since I was a little girl, and that's why I got really emotional, because this has happened to a little girl like me - an Indigenous Australian. "

"You’ve got to try and reach for the stars or try and achieve the unreachable."