Swimming Australia Unveils “Greatness Starts Somewhere” Drive On Road To Tokyo 2020

Greatness Begins Somewhere - Swimming Australia rallies the home shoal - Photo Courtesy: Swimming Australia

Swimming Australia unveils “Greatness Starts Somewhere”

Australia has a rich and storied history when it comes to Olympic swimming – winning a total of 58 gold medals since Sydney lifesaver Freddie Lane won double gold in the River Seine at the 1900 Games in Paris.

From the first females Sarah ‘Fanny’ Durack and Wilhelmina ‘Mina’ Wylie who won gold and silver respectively in the 100m freestyle in Stockholm in 1912.

To the legendary feats of golden girls Dawn Fraser and Shane Gould and dual 400 metre freestyle champions Murray Rose and Ian Thorpe, the feats of Australia’s swimmers are etched into the annals of its sporting folklore.

Kyle Chalmers – Photo Courtesy: Swimming Australia

Melbourne 1956 remains its most successful Games with eight gold and Sydney 2000 saw the stars align for more memorable home-grown moments in the pool of champions at Homebush.

Inspiring stories of ordinary people who went on to achieve greatness in the pool, inspiring a nation and its love affair with the water.

Today Australia’s swimmers continue to fly the Aussie flag with pride and passion around the world and with the countdown to Tokyo 2020 and the Games of the XXXII Olympiad fast approaching, Swimming Australia has launched its Olympic and Paralympic campaign ‘Greatness Starts Somewhere.’

With only 275 days until the Olympics begin and 307 days until the Paralympics kicks off, Swimming Australia has unveiled a campaign aimed at uniting and recognising the swimming tribe across the country and galvanising support for Australia’s athletes.

Ariarne Titmus – Photo Courtesy: Swimming Australia

Swimming Australia CEO Leigh Russell says the campaign “goes to the heart of Australia’s values, to inspire the nation by telling the motivational stories of our dedicated athletes as they push for Tokyo 2020 and beyond.”

“When fans are cheering from the grandstands or their living rooms next year, we want them to know the personalities behind each athlete and understand the commitment and hard work they’ve already achieved just to walk out on pool deck in the green and gold,” Russell said.

“From leaving family and friends to move interstate, setting early-morning alarms day in day out, to overcoming setbacks and having the courage to be the best they can be, their path to team selection and the sacrifices they’ve made already makes them great in our eyes.

“Greatness Starts Somewhere extends to our amazing swimming community of families, volunteers, coaches, grassroots, recreational and junior swimmers who, no matter what role they’re playing or level they’re swimming, positively contribute to our sport and form an integral part of the journey to our success.”

Kareena Lee – Photo Courtesy: Swimming Australia

And who better to kick-start a campaign that spans across all sections of the swimming community, the first faces of the campaign:

Kyle Chalmers, Rio Olympics 100m freestyle golden boy
Ariarne Titmus, newly crowned 400m freestyle world champion and Tokyo hopeful
Ellie Cole and Brenden Hall, Paralympians and gold medallists
Kareena Lee, Australia’s first Olympic swimming athlete selected for Tokyo

Using the hashtag #GreatnessStartsSomewhere on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, fans will see the digital aspect of the campaign take shape across Swimming Australia’s social media accounts including the Dolphins swim team, while they’ll also be a visual presence at events as well as swim schools and clubs throughout the country.

Click here to view the launch video

Greatness Starts Somewhere will come to life at its first event tomorrow, as the 2019 Hancock Prospecting Australian Short Course Championships kick off in Melbourne: more information and tickets

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