Australia | Swimming

• Birthdate: May 09, 1980
• Weight: 96kg
• Height: 198cm
• Age: 29

Athlete Results

Swimming

17/08	Men's 1500m Free Final	14:41.53 (2nd)
15/08	Men's 1500m Free Qualification - Heat 5	14:38.92 (1st)
15/08	Men's 1500m Free Qualification	14:38.92 (1st)
13/08	Men's 4 x 200m Free Final	7:04.98 (3rd)
10/08	Men's 400m Freestyle Final	3:43.84 (6th)
09/08	Men's 400m Freestyle - Heat 5	3:44.03 (1st)
09/08	Men's 400m Free Qualification	3:44.03 (5th)

Athlete Profile

Profile

Gender

Male

Place of birth

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Residence

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Memorable sporting achievement

Winning gold in the 1500m at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and breaking the world record for the 1500m in 2001

Injuries

In November 2007 he was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma and has a history of respiratory problems. Doctors said that his problems had gone undiagnosed in the past because it was difficult to tell his breathing was inhibited due to his large lung capacity. Both physical exertion and chlorine increase the severity of the problem. He competed at 2004 Olympic Games in Athens with a partially deflated lung, but didn't tell the medical team for fear they would not allow him to race. While in Athens he said he was battling a bronchial infection and only later revealed the real problem. There was fluid on the lining of his lungs and he lost up to 25 per cent of his lung capacity during competition.

Hero/Idol

Australia's Grand Slam tennis champion Pat Rafter and world motorcycle champion Mick Doohan, the United States' NBA legend Michael Jordan and Great Britain's multiple world and Olympic Games champion rower Steve Redgrave. "I like to take in the different qualities each of them present in their different sports and put them into mine," he said.

Most influential person in career

His parents Neville and Margaret.

Awards and honours

He was on the shortlist for the 2006 Australian of the Year award.In 2005 he was named Swimming World Magazine's world and Pacific Rim Male Swimmer of the Year and Swimming Australia's Swimmer of the Year. Named as Swimming Australia's joint Swimmer of the Year with Ian Thorpe in 2003. In January 2001 he received an Order of Australia Medal for services to sport.

Competition Highlights

Date	Competition	Venue	Event	Rank
29 Mar, 2008	Australian Championships	Sydney	1500m Freestyle	1
25 Mar, 2008	Australian Championships	Sydney	4x200m Freestyle Relay	2
24 Mar, 2008	Australian Championships	Sydney	200m Freestyle	1
22 Mar, 2006	Australian Championships	Sydney	400m Freestyle	1
21 Aug, 2004	Olympic Games	Athens	1500m Freestyle	1
17 Aug, 2004	Olympic Games	Athens	4x200m Freestyle Relay	2
14 Aug, 2004	Olympic Games	Athens	400m Freestyle	2
23 Sep, 2000	Olympic Games	Sydney	1500m Freestyle	1
19 Sep, 2000	Olympic Games	Sydney	4x200m Freestyle Relay	1

Click here for more profile information on the entire Australian Olympic team.