Swimming is one of Australia’s favourite pastimes, but for some it is one of the most competitive sports in existence, and it takes an extra special character to triumph at an elite level. Libby Trickett certainly fit the mould as a competitive swimmer with the potential to succeed, and that she did for more than a decade.
Following her debut on the Australian team in 2002, Libby quickly rose as the one to beat under the guidance of Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) coach Stephan Widmer. Just a year later she won her first medal at a major international, a bronze in the women’s 50m freestyle at the FINA World Championships.
She went from strength to strength and across her entire career has won four Olympic gold medals over three Games – Athens, Beijing and London – and a total of 17 gold overall, across four World Championships and one Commonwealth Games.
In 2008 Libby achieved her dream of winning individual Olympic gold at the Beijing Games in the 100m butterfly.
Not only that, Libby set the benchmark in a number of events, becoming the first Australian woman in history to swim the 50m freestyle in under 25 seconds and to this day her world short course 100m freestyle record of 51.01 still stands.
Aside from her medal-winning performances, Libby is also a fantastic ambassador for Queensland, the QAS and the sport of swimming, encouraging aspiring athletes to give it their best, while also bringing out the best in her competitors.
Always the humble achiever, Libby’s outstanding results throughout her career did not go unnoticed by the QAS. In 2007 Libby was announced as the winner of the Peter Lacey Award for Sporting Excellence – our athlete of the year. In 2011 she was recognised as one of the QAS Top Ten Athletes of the Decade (2001–2011) at the QAS 20th Anniversary Dinner, an honour that also included Jodie Henry, Stephanie Rice, Leisel Jones, Duncan Free, Chris Scott, Emma Snowsill, Ken Wallace, Anna Meares and Jamie Dwyer.
Congratulations to Libby on a brilliant career. We wish her all the best for her future and look forward to seeing her continue to succeed outside the pool.
Lisbeth Trickett (formerly Lenton)
Born: 28/01/1985 in Townsville Queensland coaches: Stephan Widmer (QAS) and Grant Stoelwinder (NSW).
Main events: 50m and 100m freestyle and butterfly.
Career Highlights
- Won seven Olympic medals, including four gold from three Olympics – Athens, Beijing and London.
- She is the current world record holder for the short course 100m freestyle – with a time of 51.01.
- In 2007 she married Luke Trickett, a former national medallist in the 200m breaststroke.
- Won five gold and two silver medals at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
- Has eight gold, three silver and four bronze medals from four FINA World Championships.
- Won the Swimmer of the Year award in 2007.
- Won the QAS Peter Lacey Award in 2007.
- QAS Top Ten Athlete of the Decade 2001–2011.
- Made her junior Australian debut in 2002 at the Oceania Championships.
From the Queensland Academy of Sport: http://www.qasport.qld.gov.au
