Petelski Announces Retirement

VICTORIA, Canada, January 18. CHRISTIN Petelski of Victoria, who raced at two Olympic Games, announced her retirement Thursday after a successful 11–year career on the national team.

The 29-year-old breaststroke specialist competed at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 2000 Games in Sydney. She reached the 200-breaststroke final in Atlanta and placed eighth. She also competed at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games reaching the 200 breaststroke finals each time and at the 2001 and 2005 World Aquatic Championships.

"Going to the 1996 Olympics was a pivotal moment in my career," said Petelski, who started swimming at age 11 and competed at her first nationals three years later.

"That's when I learned what swimming for the national team and training for high caliber meets was all about. But Sydney was also a big highlight. I went there and did personal best times, which is always hard to accomplish under the Olympic spotlight. 2000 was probably the best year of my life."

A nine-time Canadian champion, Petelski credits her parents and coaches for her success in the sport. She is the longest serving pupil of national team veteran coach Ron Jacks, who has coached Petelski since age 14.

In an 11-year-career, Petelski has overcome numerous challenges. She suffered a serious knee injury after the 1996 Olympics which required surgery and had also experienced back problems since 2002.

"In swimming you get injuries and how well you can deal with them is the battle," said the four-time University of Victoria female athlete of the year. "With my back problem I was able to work past that and not get frustrated."

Petelski is currently coaching at the Pacific Coast Swimming Association but plans to return to her university studies later this year.

"I'd like to stay tied to sport in my professional career," she said.

Petelski will be honored in front of a home crowd during the 2007 Swimming Canada Spring Nationals scheduled for March 21-25.

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