Aussie Swimmers Vying for “People’s Choice” Title

CANBERRA, Australia, October 28. AUSTRALIA'S fastest and finest in the pool are set to strive for the Telstra "Swimmer of the Year People’s Choice Award," with voting commencing today.

In its third year, the People’s Choice Award will be presented at the Telstra Swimmer of the Year Function in Melbourne on 1 December.

Australians and other fans of Aussie swimming can have their say on who is their favorite swimmer by voting online at www.swimming.org.au. Voting closes on Sunday 23 November.

Weather presenter on the Nine Network’s Today Show and face of the Telstra Swimmer of the Year People’s Choice Award, Sami Lukis, is looking forward to trying to emulate the feats of Australia’s swimming stars.

“I have just started to spend a bit more time in the pool and being a former state level water polo player, I have always had a great interest in the sport. This award is a great initiative and allows the Australian public the chance to have their say on who they think is our nation’s premier swimmer.” Lukis said.

The Telstra Dolphins have enjoyed another stunning twelve months of competition, highlighted by Australia’s medal haul at the tenth FINA World Championships in Barcelona last July. Australia produced an even team performance, finishing the event second behind the USA on the medal tally, with six gold, 10 silver and six bronze.

Several members of the squad that delivered the spoils in Barcelona are in contention to challenge two-time Telstra Swimmer of the Year People’s Choice Award winner Ian Thorpe for the mantle.

World record breakers at the meet — men’s 50-metre butterfly World Champion Matt Welsh and 100-metre breastroke world record holder Leisel Jones — are contenders, as are rising stars Jodie Henry, Lisbeth Lenton and Alice Mills.

Last year’s runner-up in the Telstra Swimmer of the Year People’s Choice Award Grant Hackett looks set to poll extremely well. Hackett was Australia’s leading swimmer in Barcelona, taking gold in the 800 and 1500 metres freestyle, before joining Thorpe, Craig Stevens and Nicholas Sprenger to win the Men’s 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay.

Telstra Group Managing Director, Business and Government, Mr David Thodey, said Telstra was delighted to sponsor the Swimmer of the Year People’s Choice Awards as part of its ongoing support to Australian Swimming at a grass roots and elite level.

“Nearly 20,000 entries were received for the promotion last year and this year we expect the total to exceed 30,000 entries.

“We encourage all swimming fans to enter by voting online to be part of Australian Swimming’s most prestigious night,” said Mr Thodey.

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