Former Olympic champ Cathy Freeman has 1st child

Cathy Freeman, one of Australia's most iconic athletes after lighting the 2000 Sydney Olympics cauldron and winning the 400-meter track gold medal 11 nights later, has given birth to her first child.

A statement from Freeman's management company says Ruby Anne Susie Murch was born midmorning Friday. Freeman is married to James Murch.

Since retiring from athletics in 2003, the 38-year-old Freeman has worked as an ambassador for children's fitness and aboriginal health and education causes.

Freeman and her first husband, Nike executive Sandy Bodecker, divorced in 2003 after four years of marriage. Freeman and Murch married in 2009.