It was announced last week that coach Denis Cotterell would be going into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and today it was revealed that triple Olympic gold medalist Jodie Henry would also be inducted into the hall tonight in Melbourne.
The annual event is one of the biggest in Australia hosting several Australian sporting greats and luminaries.
At the 2004 Olympics in Athens Henry broke the world record took home individual gold in the 100 freestyle, something that an Australian had not achieved since Dawn Fraser did in 1964. She also helped lead both the 4 x 100 freestyle and medley relay to the top of the medal podium in world record times.
The 4 x 100 freestyle relay win was a feat that no Australian team had a achieved since the 1956 Olympics, “Obviously Athens was the highlight of my career but that first gold medal on the first night – the 4x100m freestyle relay is my most vivid memory and one that stands out,” said Henry.
“My training partner Alice Mills was in the team with me; Libby Trickett as well and a local Brisbane girl, so we had done a fair bit of relay practice, because we knew we were a shot to win.”
Along with her Olympic medals Henry earned five gold, a silver and two bronze medals over three World Championships (2003, 2005 and 2007). She also collected a combined four Commonwealth gold and three silver medals at the 2002 and 2006 games.
Henry’s greatest success came under the guidance of coach Shannon Rollason. She acknowledged both his and her parents influence in her career, “At the time my coach was a big impact, but before that it was my parents. They did make it more fun for me in the way that I started in swimming, they didn’t push me at all.”
“I didn’t really start hard training until I was in my teens. I wasn’t overly passionate about swimming. I like it and enjoyed it, but I did it a lot for the social side,” said Henry.
“It was a real family thing for us, because we three girls did it and Dad was a master’s swimmer and he was involved in the local swimming club and was also a part time coach after his normal job would finish.”
“Jodie Henry ranks alongside and goes stroke for stroke with any of this country’s greatest female freestyle sprinters, a discipline that Australia has excelled at, and through her incredible achievements has reignited women’s swimming,” said Robert de Castella AO MBE, chair of the induction committee.
Henry will have the incredible honour of having Olympic legend Shane Gould as the presenter at tonight’s ceremony.
As a swimming fan I take exception to the comments of…. ASWIMFAN… that Jodie Henry was a “wasted talent ”
In what part of her career did she waste her talent ?
Jodie has won every major championships in swimming, she held the 100 Free World Record she has been Swimmer of the Year and has Order of Australia Medal, she had an International career that spanned over 7 years ……..what talent did she waste ?
I am sick to death of hearing that Jodie was a lazy trainer and wasn’t ready in 2005 …..ASWIMFAN you do realize the Jodie ….WON THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS in 2005 ? , she also was part of two Gold medal winning… Read more »
It’s not a mile, it’s 1500 meters. Track does not call their 1500 ‘the mile’. If you want to swim 1609 meters, then you can call that the mile.
Sorry, response to wrong story.
Wow…you speak as if you were there! I find your comments disrespectful to Jodie and all that she accomplished. As a member of teams from 2001-07, and winner of Commonwealth, World and Olympic titles including a WR I fail to see what was wasted. A big congratulations to Jodie on her induction into the Hall of Fame.
Obviously I exaggerated about “wasted” as she broke WR, won olympics and worlds 100 free golds, but it is out of my own frustration that she could have accomplished more had she had the drive of Libby Trickett for example.
What I am saying is based on the reports by the Australian media especially in the lead up to 2005 Australian trials and 2005 Montreal. For example:
Jodie Henry was supposed to be the one who would miss out, having admitted to being under-prepared, overweight and not ready for a spot.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/03/17/1110913738690.html
She has been criticised for her lack of form and motivation. http://www.smh.com.au/news/swimming/coming-up-for-air/2007/09/15/1189277041526.html
even Shannon Rollason… Read more »
Mr Rollason, Congratulations on your success with Jodie Henry! I remember watching those relays at the Athens Olympics very clearly, and as a US fan, it was depressing how superior her 100 free speed was relative to the best athlete from our country at the time. I’m sure all of Australia was energized and enthusiasm for women’s swimming there was ignited for years afterward as a result of Jodie’s gold medal wins. I can only imagine the hard work on your part that went into her career triumphs, so Jodie’s entry into the Hall of Fame is an honor for both of you! Enjoy the ceremony! 🙂
Jodie Henry is a talent that was (sort of) wasted.
Even with very minimal practice, she still won 2005 Worlds.
Such a shame she couldn’t (didn’t want to?) sustain that drive and work/training ethic.