Olympian Rhi Jeffrey Qualifies for Second Event at U.S. Olympic Trials

WEST AUCKLAND, New Zealand, November 14. WHILE most of the swimming community was focused either on the end of the 2011 FINA World Cup, or the beginning of the 2011 USA Swimming Grand Prix circuit, Olympic gold medalist Rhi Jeffrey continued her comeback journey in New Zealand.

Jeffrey, who was a preliminary swimmer on the U.S. Olympic gold medal squad in the 800 free relay at the 2004 Athens Games, qualified in the women's 50-meter free with a 26.38. That performance clipped the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials standard of 26.39 in that event.

Jeffrey had previously made the Trials with a 57.17 in the women's 100-meter freestyle at the Level One Meet in West Auckland to close out October.

According to her coach, David Wright, Jeffrey will return to heavy training up through the New Zealand Olympic Trials in March, where she will compete as an international swimmer, with her focus being on the U.S. Olympic Trials next summer.

Jeffrey made some noise during the summer when her relationship with Justin Wright, 17 at the time and now 18, stirred up controversy in New Zealand. In the end, Wright had to sue to remain a part of Swimming New Zealand after his parents withdrew their consent to compete to try to stop the relationship.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x