Swimming Australia Announces Telstra Awards Information

SYDNEY, Australia, October 16. WHEN Australia's swimming stars head to Sydney next month for the FINA / ARENA Swimming World Cup presented by Telstra, they will need to pack more than just their Speedo's.

Just a night after racing international competition at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on November 2 and 3 the nation's best swimmers will don cocktail dresses and black tie suits for the Telstra Swimmer of the Year Awards.

The annual gala event, to be held at Badgery Pavilion at Sydney Olympic Park on November 4, is swimming's version of the Logies and will see awards handed out in 18 categories including the prestigious Telstra Swimmer of the Year and Telstra People's Choice Award.

Nominations for the Swimmer of the Year gong include last year's winner Leisel Jones, this year's World Championship heroine Libby Lenton and butterfly diva Jessicah Schipper.

Former winners of the award include Glen Housman (1990), Hayley Lewis (1991), Kieren Perkins (1992-95), Susie O'Neill (1996-97), Michael Klim (1998-99), Ian Thorpe (2000-2003(shared)), Grant Hackett (2003 (shared) & 2005), Jodie Henry (2004) and Jones (2006).

The Telstra People's Choice Award is the race for the title of Australia's favorite swimmer and is Swimming Australia's version of the Gold Logie, allowing sports fans to vote for their favorite swimmer from the top internationally ranked Australian performers of 2007.

The top three FINA ranked male and female pool swimmers along with the number one FINA ranked Open Water and DIPS ranked Multi-Disability swimmer make up the eight nominees this year.

This year, 2006 winner Leisel Jones will be competing for her second consecutive award against Craig Stevens, Jessicah Schipper, Matthew Cowdrey, Kate Brookes-Peterson, Brenton Rickard, Eamon Sullivan and Libby Lenton.

Telstra has been committed to Australian swimming for more than fifteen years and has provided fantastic support to the development of the sport at both the grassroots and elite levels. The Telstra People's Choice Award provides the opportunity for future champions and sports fans from all over the country to honor their heroes.

Members of the community can vote for one of the eight nominees by sending an SMS to 1999 POOL (1999 7665) with the name of their favorite swimmer followed by their full name. Alternatively votes can be cast online at www.beinvolved.telstra.com. Voters have the chance to win some amazing prizes including a great home entertainment package. Voting closes on Nov. 3 2007.

Other awards include the Australian Sports Commission Discovery of the Year, Telstra Age Group Coach, Australian Unity Club of the Year, Telstra Coach of the Year, Swimming Australia Golden Moment of the Year, Telstra Swimmer of the Year with a Disability, Telstra Open Water Swimmer of the Year and the highly sort after Telstra Swimmers' Swimmer of the Year.

There will also be presentations for the Swimming Australia Media Award,

Australian Unity Club Leadership Award, Telstra Open Water Coach of the Year, Roger Smith Technical Official of the Year, Telstra Swimmer with a Disability Coach of the Year and Speedo Short Course Swimmer of the Year.

A special presentation to several retired swimmers will be made for Services to the Australian Swimming Team, while the 2007 Telstra Australian International All Star Swim Team will be announced.

Special thanks to Swimming Australia for contributing this report.

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