--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My last real race was at the Olympics in…" description: "\"My last real race was at the Olympics in Sydney in 2000.\" — Cathy Freeman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d4/cathy-freeman-11281_olympics_my-last-real-race-was-at-the-olympics-in_2853351.png" --- # My last real race was at the Olympics in Sydney in 2000. ![“My last real race was at the Olympics in Sydney in 2000.” quote by Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d4/cathy-freeman-11281_olympics_my-last-real-race-was-at-the-olympics-in_2853351.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d4/cathy-freeman-11281_olympics_my-last-real-race-was-at-the-olympics-in_2853351.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d4/cathy-freeman-11281_olympics_my-last-real-race-was-at-the-olympics-in_2853351.png) > “My last real race was at the Olympics in Sydney in 2000.” [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She reflects on her final competitive race at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, marking the end of her elite athletic career. **In simple terms:** Her last race was at the Sydney Olympics. Key Takeaway Cherish the culmination of your efforts. Themes sports legacy reflection Mood proud reflective Type narrative inspirational When to use this quote - coaching - public speaking - motivational workshops Key Concepts athlete retirement career milestones Questions to Reflect On - How do you define success after a career peak? - What next steps inspire you? A Different Perspective Transition can be emotionally challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Olympics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/olympics/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Sydney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sydney/) ## Related quotes > [My first Olympics memory was watching Haile Gebrselassie in Sydney 2000. His sprint finish to defend his title really moved me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-farah/my-first-olympics-memory-was-watching-haile-gebrselassie-in-sydney/) [Mo Farah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-farah/) > [Professionally, when I did the Olympic games and sang for my country in Australia. It was a big moment, Sydney in 2000. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-newton-john/professionally-when-i-did-the-olympic-games-and-sang-for-my-country/) [Olivia Newton-John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-newton-john/) > [There are young children out there in our state, that could be Olympic champions at 2032 to think that Melbourne has hosted an Olympics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annastacia-palaszczuk/there-are-young-children-out-there-in-our-state-that-could-be-olympic/) [Annastacia Palaszczuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annastacia-palaszczuk/) > [I think that unlearning race for black people is more along the lines of seriously saying blackness isn't real, race isn't real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chatterton-williams/i-think-that-unlearning-race-for-black-people-is-more-along-the-lines/) [Thomas Chatterton Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chatterton-williams/) > [Western countries are thoroughly accustomed to being the centre of global attention, which they have come to regard as their natural birthright. Not so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-jacques/western-countries-are-thoroughly-accustomed-to-being-the-centre-of/) [Martin Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-jacques/) > [Singing at the Opening Ceremonies of the Sydney Olympics in 2000 was amazing and, probably the highlight of this decade is the opening of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-newton-john/singing-at-the-opening-ceremonies-of-the-sydney-olympics-in-2000-was/) [Olivia Newton-John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-newton-john/) > [I made my first Australian senior team when I was 16, first Olympics when I was 19, and I retired. I'm 32, I retired…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/i-made-my-first-australian-senior-team-when-i-was-16-first-olympics/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [“The two big cities of Australia are tonally as distinct from each other as Boston is from L.A. or Lyon from Marseilles.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-garner/the-two-big-cities-of-australia-are-tonally-as-distinct-from-each/) [Helen Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-garner/) > [“but Kyler...yeah, he put the 'oo' in swoon.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-l-armentrout/but-kyler-yeah-he-put-the-oo-in-swoon/) [Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-l-armentrout/) > [Rock pools, so-named because they have been hammered out of rocks at the ocean's edge, are one of Sydney's defining characteristics, along with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-bonner/rock-pools-so-named-because-they-have-been-hammered-out-of-rocks-at/) [Raymond Bonner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-bonner/) > [“Awareness Makes a Cure Possible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-davies/awareness-makes-a-cure-possible/) Sydney Davies > [Sydney CBD is the eastern city, Parramatta is the central city and Badgerys will be the third city in greater Sydney.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gladys-berejiklian/sydney-cbd-is-the-eastern-city-parramatta-is-the-central-city-and/) [Gladys Berejiklian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gladys-berejiklian/) > [Sydney is full of the craziest and most talented artists of all kinds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keiynan-lonsdale/sydney-is-full-of-the-craziest-and-most-talented-artists-of-all-kinds/) [Keiynan Lonsdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keiynan-lonsdale/) > [I wanted to have a peaceful married life with my wife, so we both moved to Sydney in Australia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-roy/i-wanted-to-have-a-peaceful-married-life-with-my-wife-so-we-both/) [Rahul Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-roy/) > [“If you want a woman with a tight little kitty, the find one with itty bitty titties!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-l-armentrout/if-you-want-a-woman-with-a-tight-little-kitty-the-find-one-with-itty/) [Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-l-armentrout/) ## More by Cathy Freeman > [My mind is pretty made up that life for Cathy Freeman will be as an unmarried woman from now on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/my-mind-is-pretty-made-up-that-life-for-cathy-freeman-will-be-as-an/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [I don't have a lot of regrets in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/i-don-t-have-a-lot-of-regrets-in-my-life/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [I have time to breathe, time to be myself more often, I am a lot more relaxed and less guarded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/i-have-time-to-breathe-time-to-be-myself-more-often-i-am-a-lot-more/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [I'll just let time happen. I don't have to articulate what may be or what may not be. I don't even do that to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/i-ll-just-let-time-happen-i-don-t-have-to-articulate-what-may-be-or/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [I was running since I was 10. Since grade one at school people looked at me and thought, oh gosh she can really run,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/i-was-running-since-i-was-10-since-grade-one-at-school-people-looked/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [I lie around the floor with my cats Billy and Jazz or watch DVDs with my best friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/i-lie-around-the-floor-with-my-cats-billy-and-jazz-or-watch-dvds-with/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [Being overseas at the time it all kind of happened was perfect because I had no idea that it was going to attract so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/being-overseas-at-the-time-it-all-kind-of-happened-was-perfect/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [I made my first Australian senior team when I was 16, first Olympics when I was 19, and I retired. I'm 32, I retired…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/i-made-my-first-australian-senior-team-when-i-was-16-first-olympics/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [The last sort of really low-key race I ran, I realized with about a hundred metres to go, that my heart just wasn't in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/the-last-sort-of-really-low-key-race-i-ran-i-realized-with-about-a/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [I've had my fair share of being dismissed. But I'm only about to turn 30. And when I finish running, I'm going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/i-ve-had-my-fair-share-of-being-dismissed-but-i-m-only-about-to-turn/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [I'd like to see as many sports as I can because I have never had the chance to enjoy the other sports in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/i-d-like-to-see-as-many-sports-as-i-can-because-i-have-never-had-the/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [I do not have any official responsibilities related to the Australian Olympic Committee or the Federation of Athletic Associations since I am too busy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/i-do-not-have-any-official-responsibilities-related-to-the-australian/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [I don't agree with everything Madonna's done but she is fearless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/i-don-t-agree-with-everything-madonna-s-done-but-she-is-fearless/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [The Athens Olympics will be meaningful even though I cannot participate as an athlete, since I can participate in the flame relay all over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/the-athens-olympics-will-be-meaningful-even-though-i-cannot/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) > [I am very determined and the sport is my passion. I believe I am born for running.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/i-am-very-determined-and-the-sport-is-my-passion-i-believe-i-am-born/) [Cathy Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) [Explore all 60 Cathy Freeman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/) ## More Olympics quotes > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) > [My first Olympics memory was watching Haile Gebrselassie in Sydney 2000. His sprint finish to defend his title really moved me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-farah/my-first-olympics-memory-was-watching-haile-gebrselassie-in-sydney/) [Mo Farah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-farah/) > [When I was 3, my parents strapped on a pair of Playskool plastic roller skates to my feet, and that's where the story begins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-celski/when-i-was-3-my-parents-strapped-on-a-pair-of-playskool-plastic/) [J. R. Celski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-celski/) > [No matter what. Wherever your mind wanders, it seems to turn up at the same Field of Dreams. It's the vision you wake up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/no-matter-what-wherever-your-mind-wanders-it-seems-to-turn-up-at-the/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [Skateboarding is training, but I don't think of it as training. It's fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-white/skateboarding-is-training-but-i-don-t-think-of-it-as-training-it-s-fun/) [Shaun White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-white/) > [All the people in Korea are cheering me like I'm a gold medalist or something, so I have a responsibility to my country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/psy/all-the-people-in-korea-are-cheering-me-like-i-m-a-gold-medalist-or/) [PSY](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/psy/) > [I miss my kids, and they miss me. It's very difficult, but I have to do it for my country and fulfill my dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kom/i-miss-my-kids-and-they-miss-me-it-s-very-difficult-but-i-have-to-do/) [Mary Kom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kom/) > [If there were a category in the Olympics for laundry, my mother would have been a gold-medal winner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/if-there-were-a-category-in-the-olympics-for-laundry-my-mother-would/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [Sporting events like the Olympics have developed and maintained a clear message of promoting gender equality as an essential criterion in the success of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-attias/sporting-events-like-the-olympics-have-developed-and-maintained-a/) [Richard Attias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-attias/) > [There are 16 year olds competing at the olympics and i still push on pull doors & struggle getting through the whole day without a nap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-eastwood/there-are-16-year-olds-competing-at-the-olympics-and-i-still-push-on/) [Scott Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-eastwood/) > [Think about how much skateboarding opens your eyes to see the world differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-humphrys/think-about-how-much-skateboarding-opens-your-eyes-to-see-the-world/) [John Humphrys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-humphrys/) > [The Games have been decimated. If you take away the Eastern Bloc, you take away 50% of the medals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-pickering/the-games-have-been-decimated-if-you-take-away-the-eastern-bloc-you/) [Ron Pickering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-pickering/) > [I think skating helped me find myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-fleming/i-think-skating-helped-me-find-myself/) [Peggy Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-fleming/) > [Anyone who's been the Olympic trials before is a veteran.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-aaron/anyone-who-s-been-the-olympic-trials-before-is-a-veteran/) [Max Aaron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-aaron/) [Browse all 3,155 Olympics quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/olympics/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My last real race was at the Olympics in Sydney in 2000.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Cathy Freeman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/my-last-real-race-was-at-the-olympics-in-sydney-in-2000/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Olympics" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/my-last-real-race-was-at-the-olympics-in-sydney-in-2000/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d4/cathy-freeman-11281_olympics_my-last-real-race-was-at-the-olympics-in_2853351.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d4/cathy-freeman-11281_olympics_my-last-real-race-was-at-the-olympics-in_2853351.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d4/cathy-freeman-11281_olympics_my-last-real-race-was-at-the-olympics-in_2853351.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My last real race was at the Olympics in Sydney in 2000.” — Cathy Freeman", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Cathy Freeman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-freeman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My last real race was at...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/my-last-real-race-was-at-the-olympics-in-sydney-in-2000/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-freeman/my-last-real-race-was-at-the-olympics-in-sydney-in-2000/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```