Stephanie Rice finally earns a gold medal at the 2011 Telstra Australian Swimming Championship
The 2008 Beijing gold medallist, Stephanie Rice, finally won a gold medal in the 400m Individual Medley at the 2011 Telstra Australian Swimming Championship. Rice failed to reach the top of the podium in three events at the championship but on the final
session, she proved her eligibility for the crown of the 400m IM.
Rice, who had the two worst years of her life after the 2008 Beijing event, participated in her first major meet. She displayed a disappointing performance in the 2009 World Championships and also failed to qualify for the Australian Squad to 2010 Commonwealth
Games due to a shoulder surgery. She now earned three silver medals in the events of 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly and the 200m IM, along with a gold medal in the 400m IM on last day of the Australian Nationals.
She won the gold medal in a time of 4:38.61 minutes, which was comfortably under the FINA time qualification standards. She was followed by Ravana Waters’ Samantha Hamill and City of Perth’s Blair Evans, who reached the podium for the silver and bronze medal
in a time of 4:40.43 and 4:40.86 minutes, respectively.
Rice was delighted with her effort and expressed that she feels good after earning four medals at the home nationals.
She said, "To me it's not always about winning but it's always great to have one in the bag. It's a good confidence boost for me and it's nice to finish off the meet with a win."
While speaking about her shoulder surgery, Rice said, "I think just knowing that my shoulder has held together for the whole week and it hasn't got sore at all, that's good for me to know."
The 22-year-old Olivia Halicek also took a break from sports in the last two years. Halicek spent these two years as a trainer in Sydney but then her passion for competitive swimming drove her for an extensive training program. She earned a gold medal in
the 50m freestyle, clocking a time of 24.88 seconds. Former Australian champion, Yolane Kukla, followed her on the podium with her 24.92 seconds and they both qualified for the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai.
Halicek seemed very happy with her victory, as she will represent Australia at the international stage for the first time. She claims to follow her mother’s footsteps, by representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games.
Along with these two simmers, Leiston Pickett also confirmed her berth to China with a 30.24 seconds swim in the Women’s 50m breast-stroke. Winners of each event at the 2011 World Championships will confirm their tickets for the 2012 London Olympics from
their respective countries.
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