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Journalism of Courage
Australia’s sporting sweetheart Cathy Freeman will wave the chequered flag at the season-opening Australian Formula One Grand Prix, organisers said today.
Freeman, the Olympic 400-metre champion, was entrusted with the symbolic honour after former British motorcycling world champion Barry Sheene was unable to accept the offer because of illness. Sheene is fighting a debilitating battle against throat and stomach cancer.
Australian GP spokesman Geoffrey Harris said Freeman would be the first non-motoring person to be given the honour in the Melbourne race following Australia’s former motorcycling world champion Michael Doohan and ex-Formula One world champion Alan Jones. ‘‘Cathy Freeman is waving the chequered flag and she will also be doing one of the podium presentations,’’ Harris said.
