Queensland swimming champions bound for Beijing
Published Saturday, 29 March, 2008 at 11:44 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Premier Anna Bligh and Sport Minister Judy Spence today congratulated the host of Queensland swimmers nominated for selection into the 2008 Australian Olympic team heading to Beijing in August.
Ms Bligh said 16 swimmers from the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) have received nominations, along with eight other Queensland athletes who are currently training interstate.
QAS athletes nominated to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) include:
Lisbeth Trickett (nee Lenton); Jessicah Schipper; Cate Campbell; Emily Seebohm; Stephanie Rice; Melanie Schlanger; Samantha Hamill; Bronte Barratt; Ashley Callus; Leith Brodie; Andrew Lauterstein; Nicholas Sprenger; Christian Sprenger; Nicholas D’Arcy; Meagan Nay; and Kylie Palmer.
Queenslanders Alice Mills, Grant Hackett, Leisel Jones, Alicia Coutts, Tarnee White, Brenton Rickard, Nick Frost and Linda MacKenzie, who are currently training at interstate facilities, also received nominations.
Ms Bligh said: “These excellent results demonstrate the wealth of talent among Queensland athletes and highlight the quality training and support available for our swimmers in Queensland.
“Our swimmers have performed exceptionally at the Olympic swimming trials this week, with several world records achieved by Queensland athletes.
“Queensland athletes now make up more than half of the swimmers nominated to the AOC for the Beijing Olympic team and I know swimming fans across the state will be very excited by this news.
“I have no doubt these swimmers will be taking to the water to represent our country in China come August.”
Sport Minister Judy Spence said the nominated athletes have worked very hard to achieve success at the Olympic swimming trials in Sydney.
“Our QAS athletes have been training hard at the Academy in preparation for these trials and these excellent results in the nominations are a testament to all the hard work they have put in so far,” Ms Spence said.
“Our female swimmers were particularly outstanding this week, smashing five world records:
• Stephanie Rice: Broke the world record in the Women's 400m individual medley (4:31.46) and set a new world record in the women's 200m individual medley (2:08.92) beating an 11 year old record by 0.80 of a second;
• Emliy Seebohm: Broke the world record in the semi-final of the 50m backstroke (27.95). (This was broken again by Sophie Edington in the 50m backstroke final -27.67);
• Lisbeth Trickett: Set a new world record in the final of women’s 50m freestyle (23.97 seconds). She also set a new world record in the women's 100m freestyle (52.88) wiping 0.42 of a second off the previous record and bettering her previous best time of 52.99 which she set back in April at the Duel in the Pool.
"The Queensland government invests more into sport than any other state or territory in Australia, and this certainly is reflected in these incredible results.
“These results are also an indication of the athlete’s world-class coaches, including Stephan Widmer and Michael Bohl, whom I know will be very proud of the world records achieved by their athletes.
“Our swimmers have access to some of the best training facilities in the country at the QAS. The Queensland Government injects $10 Million a year into the Academy, to ensure our athletes have every chance of reaching their Olympics dreams.
“From next month our athletes will also be able to use the Academy’s new $10 Million Recovery Centre, for physiotherapy, injury treatment and rehabilitation.
“We will continue to support these outstanding athletes as they prepare for the Beijing Olympics, and I look forward to the announcement of the final team later this year.”
QAS Executive Director and former Queensland Bulls and West Indies cricket coach, Bennett King said the successful athletes now face five months of grueling training and preparation ahead of the Olympic Games.
“I know our swimmers are ready to put in all they’ve got in the lead up to the Games and we will be there supporting them every step of the way.”
QAS Board Chair Tracey Stockwell, herself a former Olympic swimming Gold Medal champion, said she was delighted to see so many Queensland swimmers nominated for the Australian team.
“Representing your country at the Olympic Games is one of the greatest experiences any athlete can hope for and I know these Queensland athletes will do our state proud.”
The final Olympic team determined by the Australian Olympic Committee is expected to be announced on July 4.
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office – (07) 3224 4500
Minister’s Office – 3239 6172
Ms Bligh said 16 swimmers from the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) have received nominations, along with eight other Queensland athletes who are currently training interstate.
QAS athletes nominated to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) include:
Lisbeth Trickett (nee Lenton); Jessicah Schipper; Cate Campbell; Emily Seebohm; Stephanie Rice; Melanie Schlanger; Samantha Hamill; Bronte Barratt; Ashley Callus; Leith Brodie; Andrew Lauterstein; Nicholas Sprenger; Christian Sprenger; Nicholas D’Arcy; Meagan Nay; and Kylie Palmer.
Queenslanders Alice Mills, Grant Hackett, Leisel Jones, Alicia Coutts, Tarnee White, Brenton Rickard, Nick Frost and Linda MacKenzie, who are currently training at interstate facilities, also received nominations.
Ms Bligh said: “These excellent results demonstrate the wealth of talent among Queensland athletes and highlight the quality training and support available for our swimmers in Queensland.
“Our swimmers have performed exceptionally at the Olympic swimming trials this week, with several world records achieved by Queensland athletes.
“Queensland athletes now make up more than half of the swimmers nominated to the AOC for the Beijing Olympic team and I know swimming fans across the state will be very excited by this news.
“I have no doubt these swimmers will be taking to the water to represent our country in China come August.”
Sport Minister Judy Spence said the nominated athletes have worked very hard to achieve success at the Olympic swimming trials in Sydney.
“Our QAS athletes have been training hard at the Academy in preparation for these trials and these excellent results in the nominations are a testament to all the hard work they have put in so far,” Ms Spence said.
“Our female swimmers were particularly outstanding this week, smashing five world records:
• Stephanie Rice: Broke the world record in the Women's 400m individual medley (4:31.46) and set a new world record in the women's 200m individual medley (2:08.92) beating an 11 year old record by 0.80 of a second;
• Emliy Seebohm: Broke the world record in the semi-final of the 50m backstroke (27.95). (This was broken again by Sophie Edington in the 50m backstroke final -27.67);
• Lisbeth Trickett: Set a new world record in the final of women’s 50m freestyle (23.97 seconds). She also set a new world record in the women's 100m freestyle (52.88) wiping 0.42 of a second off the previous record and bettering her previous best time of 52.99 which she set back in April at the Duel in the Pool.
"The Queensland government invests more into sport than any other state or territory in Australia, and this certainly is reflected in these incredible results.
“These results are also an indication of the athlete’s world-class coaches, including Stephan Widmer and Michael Bohl, whom I know will be very proud of the world records achieved by their athletes.
“Our swimmers have access to some of the best training facilities in the country at the QAS. The Queensland Government injects $10 Million a year into the Academy, to ensure our athletes have every chance of reaching their Olympics dreams.
“From next month our athletes will also be able to use the Academy’s new $10 Million Recovery Centre, for physiotherapy, injury treatment and rehabilitation.
“We will continue to support these outstanding athletes as they prepare for the Beijing Olympics, and I look forward to the announcement of the final team later this year.”
QAS Executive Director and former Queensland Bulls and West Indies cricket coach, Bennett King said the successful athletes now face five months of grueling training and preparation ahead of the Olympic Games.
“I know our swimmers are ready to put in all they’ve got in the lead up to the Games and we will be there supporting them every step of the way.”
QAS Board Chair Tracey Stockwell, herself a former Olympic swimming Gold Medal champion, said she was delighted to see so many Queensland swimmers nominated for the Australian team.
“Representing your country at the Olympic Games is one of the greatest experiences any athlete can hope for and I know these Queensland athletes will do our state proud.”
The final Olympic team determined by the Australian Olympic Committee is expected to be announced on July 4.
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office – (07) 3224 4500
Minister’s Office – 3239 6172