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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-04-03 Daily Xml
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OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (15:25): I rise today to acknowledge the success of the Olympic swimming trials at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre in my electorate of Mitchell, and to congratulate all those involved. This event, which doubled as swimming's national championship, has been a real winner for the local community and the state as a whole and has turned out to be our most successful ever Olympic trials, in terms of attendance. It gave us the opportunity to witness the return of some of our modern greats of Australian swimming, as well as future stars in action in high-class competition at a world-class facility.

The championship showcased this magnificent venue to locals and tourists in the stands and to TV viewers around the nation. It was also a privilege and an inspiration to watch athletes press their cases for a spot in the Australian Paralympic team, and with an astonishing 25 world records broken in classified events, the Australian Paralympic team (to be named in June) should be one of the strongest ever.

Overall, competitors raved about the pool and the event organisation, and the fans supported the trials to the tune of a record 33,500 ticket sales. Indeed, the stands of the Aquatic Centre are a great place from which to watch top level swimming, but the benefits of such a successful meet go beyond the action in and around the pool. Local businesses recorded an increase in trade and swimming clubs reported a boost in interest in the sport, according to the Guardian Messenger.

The event proved to be the swan song of dual Olympic gold medallist and four time world record holder Michael Klim, who after four years away from the sport unfortunately was not able to turn a national team fairytale into reality. Fellow comeback stars Geoff Huegill and Ian Thorpe also missed Olympic selection. While Skippy Huegill is uncertain of his future, the Thorpedo has vowed to swim on. Libby Trickett, however, who had been out of swimming for two years and already had three gold gongs in her trophy case from Olympics past, realised her dream by making her third Olympic team. Great London hopes James Magnussen and Stephanie Rice set personal best times, while another triple gold medallist, Leisel Jones, will become the first Australian swimmer to compete at four Olympic Games and needs one more medal to match Ian Thorpe's Australian record of nine medals.

After eight days of racing at Oaklands Park, 44 swimmers earned the right to represent their country at the pinnacle of competition, the Olympic Games. Half of them will make their Olympic debuts. All of them have taken away fond memories of Adelaide, along with many others who competed here in the hope of heading to London in July.

As well as being a favourite of these top-class athletes and the swimming, diving and water polo club members who train there, the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre is a favourite destination for swimmers of all levels, whether for fun or for fitness. I am very privileged to have this fantastic facility in my electorate and to have been able to participate, as a spectator, during the trials. My warm congratulations go to the organisers, the athletes, the staff and the many dedicated volunteers who made the trials such a spectacular success. I would also like to congratulate SA's own Peter Graham, the voice of Australian swimming, who will be announcing at the London Olympics. I wish him well.

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