Freeman's Olympic suit sold for cancer research

An Olympic running suit worn by Australia's World Sportswoman of the Year Cathy Freeman was auctioned for 22,000 Australian dollars ($11,600) to raise money for breast cancer research, local media said on Saturday.

The suit, which covered Freeman from head to toe, was one of more than 100 items auctioned at a dinner late on Friday to celebrate the 50th birthday of former Australian sprint champion Raelene Boyle, who battled breast cancer several years ago.

A framed Sydney 2000 T-shirt autographed by Boyle and fellow Australian Olympians, including swimmers Shane Gould and Dawn Fraser, who carried the torch around the Olympic stadium when the Sydney Games were opened last September, raised 38,000 Australian dollars ($20,030).

Freeman, the reigning world and Olympic 400 metres champion, announced in March that she was drained from the pressure of winning at Sydney last year and was taking a break.

She plans to resume training in Australia later this year.