Less than two weeks ago, Australian Olympians Nova Peris and Cathy Freeman were photographed together smiling, with their arms draped around each other's shoulders.
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The photograph, one of a series taken at a function in Melbourne on October 17, describes those in the images as "friends" and was posted on the Cathy Freeman Foundation Facebook page and Twitter account.
With good friend @cathyfreeman at #thelongwalk women's luncheon - celebrating 10 years. #walkthetalk #StandUp #auspoI pic.twitter.com/Rw1EQghehB — Senator Nova Peris (@NovaPeris) October 17, 2014
But, if a series of private emails reportedly sent by Senator Peris in 2010, before she entered politics, are to be believed, she once held a less-than-favourable view of Freeman, her 4x400 metre track-and-field teammate from the Sydney Olympics.
"Like Freeman here, she is so so dumb (sad but true) and has a national profile of running fast achieving awesome things but seriously can't talk for shit, and has zero communication skills," Senator Peris reportedly wrote in the email in 2010 to Olympian Ato Boldon.
The Northern Territory News claims to have obtained explicit email exchanges from 2010 between Senator Peris, who at the time was an Athletics Australia ambassador and communication officer with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, and Boldon, the four-time Olympic medal winner from Trinidad and Tobago.
The article alleges Senator Peris used taxpayers' money to bring Boldon to Australia to help her carry out an extra-marital affair with him.
Boldon came to Australia for the 10-day "Jump Start to London" program in the lead-up to the London Olympics.
"Ato … tell me babe … what u want … Make a bit of money and spend time together … I will take time of [sic] from work to be with u," Ms Peris wrote in an email exchange, the Northern Territory News says.
Senator Peris and Boldon have denied any wrongdoing in relation to his 10-day trip to Australia.
In a statement, Boldon said there were "gross fabrications" in the story.
In the series of emails published by the Northern Territory News, Senator Peris reportedly discusses setting up a global foundation that would be known for "delivering outcomes (sports, health and education) ... for indigenous people", and tells Boldon of her frank assessment of Freeman.
Race reportedly features prominently in the series of emails, some explicit, between Senator Peris and Boldon.
" ... I don't want to say oh s*** I wish I had of f***** Ato when he came to Australia … lol ... cause I regret that I didn't 10 years ago, wish I wasn't the reserved person I was back then the shy girl..lol...," Senator Peris reportedly wrote.
"so my dear friend I am waiting for you … finally BLACK… just like a Tim-tam..black on black xxx"
The function attended by Senator Peris and Freeman on October 17 was a women's lunch to mark the 10th anniversary of The Long Walk to Canberra, a protest march organised by indigenous AFL footballer Michael Long.
The Melbourne lunch was held to celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and to bring together "women from all walks of life to be inspired, celebrate, network and have a good time".
Freeman's representative has been contacted for comment.
