The first Australian swimmer to represent her country at four Olympics, Leisel Jones, has been announced as the next recipient of Australia’s highest sporting honor. Jones is one of eight 2015 inductees into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame, a prestigious organization whose mission is to preserve and celebrate the history of Australian sport. This year represents the 31st edition of the event and in its history, 49 swimmers have received SHOF honors, including Susie O’Neill, Dawn Fraser and Shane Gould.
Jones’ storied career began when she qualified for the Sydney 2000 Olympics at just 14 years old and would continue on through Athens, Beijing and London, in addition to multiple World Championships appearances. Over the course of her competitive career, Jones would collect three Olympic gold medals, while also claiming seven world championship gold medals. Jones is also a ten-time Commonwealth Games medalist and once held the world records in the 100m and 200m breaststroke events.
Jones’ first individual gold came in the 100m breaststroke in Beijing, a memory the now 30 year-old still considers as a magical moment. “I don’t really remember a lot about the race, but I just know the sheer amount of work that went into achieving that one small moment in life,” said Jones. “It was just a sliver in time, and it took eight years of really pure hard work. I think that’s the moment where everything I had worked for really came true. All I wanted was Olympic gold, that was all I wanted out of my career, and I finally achieved it.”
Putting her gold-winning moment into perspective in light of her induction, Jones says, “It [the Induction] is probably a little bit more special than winning gold because it is a lasting legacy that you leave, and you’re among amazing, incredible athletes, so that will be something really special for my mum.” Jones also adds, “It is a gentle reminder of what an amazing career I had.”
“I was so lucky I had the opportunity to do that because so many people don’t get the chance to realise their dreams like that … I am so grateful when I look back on my career, and so glad I realised my dreams.” Jones reiterated, “I didn’t give up. I just kept going.”
Jones’ theme of “not giving up” is relayed within her new book entitled “Body Lengths”, released just earlier this month. Within the book, she describes how her journey into the limelight wasn’t so easy. Her story describes what it was like for her as an athlete to be under constant pressure to be perfect – for her coaches, the media and herself – in what would lead to depression and thoughts of suicide.
Of Jones triumphing and coming out golden even amidst difficulties, Sport Australia Hall of Fame Selection Committee Chairman Rob de Castella AO MBE said of Jones, “She inspired her nation as one of the greatest female swimmers to ever grace the pool. In the spotlight from a young age, Jones excelled on the world stage with class and an ever-present smile. She is the epitome of good virtue, of sportsmanship and a role model for Australians young and old.”
The induction ceremony is taking place Wednesday, October 21st in Melbourne, Australia.
