Cirrus@Austlit

'From humble beginnings, raised by a single mother who often worked two jobs to support her family, to being considered the fastest female hurdler in the world, Sally Pearson's honest pursuit of excellence, and her refusal to allow any obstacle to stand in her way, has lead her to be one of the greatest and most-loved athletes in Australia. Sally Pearson ran the fastest 100m hurdles in Olympic history to win a gold medal at the London Olympics. Pearson is currently the fifth fastest women's hurdler of all-time, with the overall world record unbroken since 1988. She also held all four major international titles at the one time - Olympic, world, world indoor and Commonwealth titles. She is the first Australian to win a gold medal on the Olympic athletics track since Cathy Freeman in 2000, and only the second in more than 20 years. It's a fact that Pearson finds "crazy" but may go some way to explaining what her accomplishments have meant to her country. Pearson can trace her ambition back to when she was 13 years old and watched Cathy Freeman triumph in the Sydney Olympics. The secret, she says is ‘really just belief, it's believing in yourself and giving it a crack and knowing that you can do it.' This inspiring story traces the highs and lows of her athletics career - from the Commonwealth Games where a disqualification turned her world upside down - to the injuries she has fought to overcome. But despite the hurdles life has put in her way, Sally has always been single-minded in the pursuit of her goals, and always believed she could achieve them.' (Publisher's blurb)

'"I'm just a little black girl who can run fast, and here I am sitting in the Olympic stadium, with one hundred and twelve thousand people screaming my name. How the hell did I get here?"

Few of us will forget Cathy Freeman's gold-winning run at the Sydney Olympic Games. With the expectations of a nation on her shoulders, her victory that night confirmed her as a national hero. But the win was more than just a sporting triumph. In that euphoric moment, Cathy Freeman symbolised our best and broadest vision of ourselves, a reconciled Australia. She became our Cathy.

For the first time, in her own words, Cathy Freeman tells the story of her remarkable life. With characteristic honesty she talks about growing up black in a white world, about her large, close-knit family, her complicated relationship with Nick Bideau, marriage to Sandy Bodecker and their painful separation. She talks about how it feels to represent your country, the price of fame, and the real reasons behind her heart-wrenching decision to retire.

Cathy tells us what it's like to be Cathy Freeman. Her strength, courage, and magnetic personality are reflected on every page.' Source: Publishers' blurb (Sighted 28/07/2009).