Inside Cathy Freeman’s lost loves – including the A-list Hollywood hunk who she had an AFFAIR with during the dying days of her first marriage… and the coach who helped her to Olympic glory

Inside Cathy Freeman's lost loves - including the A-list Hollywood hunk who she had an AFFAIR with during the dying days of her first marriage... and the coach who helped her to Olympic glory

As a lifestyle expert, I find it truly captivating to delve into the romantic journey of a remarkable figure like Cathy Freeman, whose life experiences are as inspiring as her athletic achievements. Her relationships, much like her races, have been filled with drama, triumphs, and heartbreaks – a testament to her spirit and resilience.


The Australian sports community is reeling following the announcement of the separation between Cathy Freeman and her husband, James Murch, after 15 years of wedlock.

The Olympic Gold medal winner, aged 51, has been involved in numerous notable relationships during her illustrious career, among them a prominent A-list movie star and her previous trainer.

Down below, we delve into the memorable romantic relationships experienced by the renowned Australian athlete, as previously featured in Daily Mail Australia.

Nic Bideau

During the 90s, Freeman was involved in a prolonged romantic partnership with her athletics mentor and supervisor, Nic Bideau – whom she had referred to as her “Prince Charming” at one point.

Their relationship fell apart after she won her first world championship 400m title in 1997. 

However, she continued to keep him as her manager, which allegedly led to friction with her subsequent partner, later known as Alexander Bodecker.

Bideau aided Coach Cathy in achieving her most significant victory, which was winning the gold medal in the 400m race at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Following the competition, they were spotted rejoicing over her remarkable accomplishment.

Inside Cathy Freeman's lost loves - including the A-list Hollywood hunk who she had an AFFAIR with during the dying days of her first marriage... and the coach who helped her to Olympic glory

Alexander ‘Sandy’ Bodecker

In the year 1999, Freeman got married for the first time to Alexander ‘Sandy’ Bodecker, a man from Nike’s executive team, who is about twenty years older than her.

In the narrative of my life, my union with Sandy, which spanned four years, experienced both peaks and troughs. A defining moment came when I decided to pause my athletic pursuits for a significant six-month period in 2002, dedicating that time to support Sandy through her battle with throat cancer.

In February 2003, the couple officially ended their marriage, and later, Freeman would shockingly admit in her autobiography titled “Born to Run” that she was unfaithful to him in the closing days of their relationship.

Inside Cathy Freeman's lost loves - including the A-list Hollywood hunk who she had an AFFAIR with during the dying days of her first marriage... and the coach who helped her to Olympic glory

Joel Edgerton

In 2003, I, a native of Mackay, found myself drawn into a relationship with the charismatic Joel Edgerton, an Australian heartthrob from Hollywood. Our paths crossed the year prior at the Logie Awards, and it was evident from the start that something special was brewing between us.

During that period, Edgerton was acting in the Australian series titled “The Secret Life of Us,” and the duo gained recognition for their frequent appearances at high-profile premieres.

In her autobiography, Freeman disclosed that she carried on an affair with Edgerton while married to Bodecker.

The 400m former runner recalled the moment she told her now-ex Bodecker she was ‘seeing someone’.

‘Lighting the cauldron at the Sydney Games was a breeze compared with the anxiety that was pulsing through my veins as I listened to Alexander talk,’ she wrote.

‘I’m seeing someone. It’s Joel Edgerton,’ Freeman wrote of her conversation with Bodecker.

In 2005, they officially ended their relationship, and later on, Edgerton explained to SBS that the relationship didn’t succeed because their lifestyles were simply too dissimilar.

According to Joel, she wasn’t fond of public roles and preferred to stay away from being put under the limelight.

Inside Cathy Freeman's lost loves - including the A-list Hollywood hunk who she had an AFFAIR with during the dying days of her first marriage... and the coach who helped her to Olympic glory

James Murch 

In 2009, Cathy got married to her second spouse, James Murch, at the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria.

The couple are the parents of a 13-year-old daughter, Ruby.

Last Friday, they announced a joint declaration, revealing that they would be going separate ways while still sharing parental responsibilities for their child.

“Following 15 years together, we regretfully chose to part ways. Despite our separation, our top priority remains joint parenting.”

‘We continue sharing a professional and working partnership through Estrella Sports Management.

Inside Cathy Freeman's lost loves - including the A-list Hollywood hunk who she had an AFFAIR with during the dying days of her first marriage... and the coach who helped her to Olympic glory

“Since this involves private matters, we kindly ask for your understanding as we choose not to provide additional information.”

At the tender age of 16, Freeman gained recognition as she became the initial Australian Aboriginal individual to secure a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games.

Subsequently, she added two more gold medals to her tally at the 1994 Commonwealth Games and a silver medal to her collection during the 1996 Olympic Games.

She came first at the World Championships in 1997 in the 400m event and again in 1999. 

2000 saw an Indigenous Australian athlete win the hearts of many when she ignited the well-known Olympic torch during the start of the Sydney Olympic Games.

She won the women’s 400-metre race in 49.11 seconds as the nation watched.

In the year 2003, Freeman concluded her athletic journey, and subsequently established a charitable organization that assists indigenous kids residing in distant areas of Australia.

Inside Cathy Freeman's lost loves - including the A-list Hollywood hunk who she had an AFFAIR with during the dying days of her first marriage... and the coach who helped her to Olympic glory

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2024-08-16 13:05

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