Last night, Nunawading Swimming Club’s
Brooke Hanson swam the best 100 metre
breaststroke of her life at the 2004
Olympic Swimming Trials in her third
attempt to qualify for the Olympics.
Hanson, spurred on by a huge cheer
squad, was awesome beating world record
holder and Olympic silver medallist
Leisel Jones, touching the wall in
a personal best time of 1.07.17.
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Jones
finished second in 1.08.07 to qualify for
her second Olympics at the tender age of
18 but it was the effort by Hanson that
had the attention of the electric crow
d.
To qualify for her first Olympics at 26
is a remarkable achievement in itself, but
when one considers that Hanson first represented
Australia at the Commonwealth Games in 1994,
and has kept her Olympic dream alive throughout
10 years and two failed attempts, it indicates
the magnitude of her achievement.
"Definitely
third time lucky," Hanson said "Missing
the 96 and 2000 teams just made me a stronger
person.”
"To
do that tonight is just fantastic for me.”
"It's
awesome to go a couple of 1.07s and know
that's right up there."
Petria
Thomas and Sarah Ryan are the only other
female members of that Commonwealth Games
team contesting these Trials and they both
are duel Olympian's, Thomas already earning
a berth to her third Games this week.
The swim
makes Hanson the fifth fastest swimmer of
all time for the event and following the
race Hanson thanked her coach Mark Thompson
and her strength and conditioning coach
Simon Moule for their training and support.
Hanson also thanked her sponsors Endless
Spa Company for their support of her leading
into the Trials.
Ian Hanson / Gary Barclay |
