 Freeman to Wave Flag Instead of Ill Sheene Thursday March 6th, 2003
Australian Grand Prix (AGP) officials offered the two-time world champion 400 metres runner the honour after Australia-based former British motorcycling world champion Sheene suffered a setback in his battle against throat and stomach cancer. AGP spokesman Geoffrey Harris said on Thursday Freeman would be the first non-motoring person to be given the honour in Australia following previous flag-waving efforts from 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. "Her name has been mentioned for quite a while. Barry is obviously not well." Sheene flew his own helicopter from his Queensland home to the Australian motorcycling Grand Prix in Phillip Island near Melbourne in October last year as an act of defiance to his health problems, saying he was counting on alternative therapies and support from fans to give him strength. "His health has deteriorated since the motorcycling grand prix," Harris said.
Published at 00:03:54 GMT
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Australia's Olympic champion Cathy Freeman will wave the chequered flag at the first Grand Prix of the Formula One season on Sunday after Barry Sheene was ruled out because of illness.
(03-11-2005): 
