Freeman says she was left drained after winning gold at the Sydney Olympics
last year and says it will be better for her long-term career to have some
rest and recover.

"I'm a little bit tired from pushing myself in the morning and the afternoon
everyday on the track, on the hills, in the gym. I just need a break," he
said.

"I'm going to spend some time with my family [to] just have a break. Just to
recover and refresh."

"It's a question of fire in the belly and fire in the heart."

Freeman vowed to be back hungrier than ever and compete at the Commonwealth
Games next year and defend her Olympic title at Athens.

She says she feels tired and unmotivated after her Olympic triumph last year.

"I prepared like I have never prepared for anything before. This year it was
all very half-hearted and a little bit sloppy.

"I just got to the point where I didn't want to waste my time, waste my
coach's time or anybody else's time."

Coach Peter Fortune says he supports his charge's decision.

"I think it's the best thing and I'm quite positive that she will be back as
good as ever for this coming domestic season and the various international
events in the future."

Fortune says the break will make Freeman a stronger competitor.

"I think it's a natural thing that she at least throttles back a little bit
so she can rekindle those same feelings for the next major campaign."

Freeman says she will be interested to see how Britain's Katharine Merry and
Lorraine Graham of Jamaica, the other Olympic 400 metres medallists, react to
the news "as well as my great rival Perec".

By taking the year off, Freeman says she has increased her chances of
emulating France's Marie-Jose Perec and winning back-to-back Olympic titles.

The chief executive of the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Campbell Rose, says
Freeman's withdrawal will not leave a "hole" in the event's program as many
other world class athletes have confirmed they will compete.

"I think it's disappointing for all Australians. Cathy is the queen of the
track from our perspective and from I think every Australian's perspective,"
he said.

"Everyone would have loved to have seen her run in her home state where she
was born and bred and it is nothing more than disappointing that she won't
get there."

Freeman says the ongoing legal dispute with former coach and partner Nick
Bideau is not involved in her decision.

"This is something a lot more personal to me than all the stuff happening off
the track. This has got everythig to do with how I feel on the track."

Athletics Australia media manager Stephen Lock says it is understandable for
Freeman to take a year off as she has been competing at the highest level
since winning a gold medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games as a 16-year-old.

Her husband, Alexander Bodecker, a Nike executive who put his career on hold
to help her achieve her Olympic ambition, is expected to return to the US
this year.