Spence Congratulates Libby Lenton on QAS Athlete of the Year
Published Wednesday, 28 November, 2007 at 02:46 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Minister for Sport Judy Spence has congratulated Libby Lenton on receiving the Queensland Academy of Sport Peter Lacey Award for sporting excellence, at the QAS Champion’s Luncheon held in Brisbane today.
Ms Spence presented the award to Libby Lenton in a room full of Queensland sporting heroes, in recognition of her international success during the year, while also serving as an ambassador for sport.
“Libby Lenton is a deserving winner of this award. Everything she has touched this year has turned to gold,” Ms Spence said.
“Libby has cemented her position as the world’s leading women’s freestyle swimmer following her dominance in the pool at the FINA World Championships in Melbourne where she claimed five gold medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay, 100m butterfly and 4x100m medley relay which was swum in World Record time.
“Libby is also the current world short course record holder in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m freestyle and 100m butterfly.
“These are fantastic results for someone who debuted on the international swimming scene a little over four years ago.”
Ms Spence said Libby joins an incredible group of talented athletes, who have previously received this award.
“Previous winners of this Award include Vicki Wilson, Geoff Huegill, Grant Hackett, Susie O’Neill, Kieren Perkins, Kerrie Meares, Geoff Trappett, Jodie Henry, Leisel Jones and Emma Snowsill,” Ms Spence said.
Ms Spence said the QAS Champions’ Luncheon signalled the end of another successful year for QAS athletes who have broken several long-standing Commonwealth records and returned from world events with more than 50 medals.
“Other nominees for this year’s Peter Lacey Award included Jessica Schipper, Bronte Barratt, Duncan Free, Lyndsie Fogarty, Sam Simpson and Chloe Sims.
“All of these athletes have achieved great results on the national and international sporting stages this year, and they have been excellent ambassadors to their sport and the state of Queensland.”
Ms Spence said the QAS Team of the Year Award was awarded to the men’s hockey team, the Queensland Blades.
“The Queensland Blades won the 2007 Australian Hockey League title. Seven QAS athletes were on the Kookaburras team that won gold at the Oceania Cup giving them a qualifying berth into the 2008 Beijing Olympics,” Ms Spence said.
“The Queensland Government provides $10 million annually to the Queensland Academy of Sport.
“We will continue to support these outstanding athletes, by providing first-class training facilities to ensure they can reach their sporting goals.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell 0439 673 287
Ms Spence presented the award to Libby Lenton in a room full of Queensland sporting heroes, in recognition of her international success during the year, while also serving as an ambassador for sport.
“Libby Lenton is a deserving winner of this award. Everything she has touched this year has turned to gold,” Ms Spence said.
“Libby has cemented her position as the world’s leading women’s freestyle swimmer following her dominance in the pool at the FINA World Championships in Melbourne where she claimed five gold medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay, 100m butterfly and 4x100m medley relay which was swum in World Record time.
“Libby is also the current world short course record holder in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m freestyle and 100m butterfly.
“These are fantastic results for someone who debuted on the international swimming scene a little over four years ago.”
Ms Spence said Libby joins an incredible group of talented athletes, who have previously received this award.
“Previous winners of this Award include Vicki Wilson, Geoff Huegill, Grant Hackett, Susie O’Neill, Kieren Perkins, Kerrie Meares, Geoff Trappett, Jodie Henry, Leisel Jones and Emma Snowsill,” Ms Spence said.
Ms Spence said the QAS Champions’ Luncheon signalled the end of another successful year for QAS athletes who have broken several long-standing Commonwealth records and returned from world events with more than 50 medals.
“Other nominees for this year’s Peter Lacey Award included Jessica Schipper, Bronte Barratt, Duncan Free, Lyndsie Fogarty, Sam Simpson and Chloe Sims.
“All of these athletes have achieved great results on the national and international sporting stages this year, and they have been excellent ambassadors to their sport and the state of Queensland.”
Ms Spence said the QAS Team of the Year Award was awarded to the men’s hockey team, the Queensland Blades.
“The Queensland Blades won the 2007 Australian Hockey League title. Seven QAS athletes were on the Kookaburras team that won gold at the Oceania Cup giving them a qualifying berth into the 2008 Beijing Olympics,” Ms Spence said.
“The Queensland Government provides $10 million annually to the Queensland Academy of Sport.
“We will continue to support these outstanding athletes, by providing first-class training facilities to ensure they can reach their sporting goals.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell 0439 673 287