4) Cathy Freeman carrying both Australian and Aboriginal flag in Sydney, 2000
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Cathy Freeman had earlier stirred up the hornet’s nest when she celebrated her Gold at the 1994 Commonwealth Games by taking a victory lap while carrying the Aboriginal Flag. She won the silver in Atlanta Olympics in the 400m track event, but it was her action in the 2000 Olympics held in Sydney that was laced with a serious political message. Six years after carrying the Aboriginal Flag in Canada, Freeman had become a national icon who had left behind her struggles due to her aboriginal identity.
In Sydeny, Freeman carried both the Aboriginal Flag as well as the national flag of Australia to symbolise the reconcilliation between her community and the white Australians. The move raised some eyebrows as the Aboriginal flag was not recognised by the IOC.
