Kieren Perkins makes comeback to assist the Australian Olympic team
Four-time Olympic gold medallist, Kieren Perkins, is on a comeback mission with other Australian swimming stars including Ian Thorpe, Michael Klim, Libby Trickett and Geoff Huegill, for the 2012 London Olympics.
The Australian 1500m freestyle ace will act as mentor to the Australian swimming team, which will compete at the 2012 London Olympics.
He will be assisting youngsters of Swimming Australia, who are expected to be pleased by his presence, as they have got the rare opportunity to gain guidance from one of the most elite swimmers Australia has ever produced.
During his swimming career, Perkins has achieved fifteen gold finishes, seven silver medals and one bronze medal. He has reached the Olympic podium on four occasions, where he won the gold medal in the 1500m freestyle and the silver medal in the 400m freestyle at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. He also defended his title of the 1500m freestyle at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, whereas, he finished second in his main event behind great Australian, Grant Hackett, at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
While speaking to the media, Perkins said, “I’ll be there to support the 450 athletes on our team. I don't think the older guys will need my help but I am looking forward to working with the younger team members in a mentoring role.”
The Australian recalled his own experience of meeting legend, Murray Rose and added, “I was very lucky before the Barcelona Olympics, my first Games, to have a long conversation with Murray Rose, in terms of the psychology of coping with the pressure of the situation and understanding how you deal with all of the excitement and everything that's generated around the Olympics.”
The 37 year-old Perkins was extremely delighted with the opportunity. He was one of the early admirers who appreciated Thorpe’s comeback, by expressing firm belief in his potential for a successful return.
He supported his argument by saying that Thorpe is one of the most remarkable swimmers in the history of Australian swimming. He said that five-time Olympic champion, Thorpe, has the capability to trouble the book of world records.
After Perkins, Hackett was the greatest distant freestyle swimmer in the history of swimming, as he remained undisputed in his main event for almost ten years. He occupied the title of the 1500m freestyle for the first time in 1997 and then defended his title with great audacity until 2007.
The two of them competed with each other at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where Hackett just managed to win over Perkins in the 1500m event.
Nevertheless, Perkins, who is one of the greatest distant freestyle Australian swimmers, stressed that the major constraint Swimming Australia is currently facing is the lack of distant freestyle swimmers. The Australian team to the 2011 Shanghai World Championships has no swimmer competing in the 1500m freestyle. Perkins expressed that the 1500m used to be the main event for Australia’s team for many years and that there is a need to develop interest of the younger generation in long events.
The Australian team will surely benefit from the presence of their legendary swimmer, who will be with them at the London starting blocks. In addition, Perkins is also very excited to re-unite with Australian youth, who now hold the command of Australian Swimming.
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