Australian swimming to be guest speaker for PNG’s sports award-winning event

Former Olympic gold medalist and swimming legend Liesel Jones will officiate as the SP Sports Awards guest speaker for this year’s edition.

This was revealed by SP Brewery Corporate Affairs Manager John Nilkare during the announcement of the awards finalists last week.

Jones is expected to arrive in Port Moresby prior to the event on June 1, where she will be the guest highlight at the Crown Hotel.

Mr Nilkare spoke highly of Jones as one of the greats in the world of sports, particularly in swimming. 

“Liesel is an 8-time Olympic medalist and the first Australian swimmer to compete in four Olympic games and we are thrilled to have her over for the awards night,” he said.

 “During her visit, we have arranged a coaching clinic at the Taurama Aquatic Centre with the Boroko Swimming Club to inspire our young swimmers.

“Liesel who started swimming at a young age and became one of Australia’s youngest Olympic medalists is excited to engage with our young swimmers.”

Liesel became the youngest member of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Swimming Team at the age of 15.

She has represented Australia in various events, winning two silver medals in the 100m breaststroke and 4x100m Medley Relay, as well as becoming one of the youngest Olympic medalists in Australia’s history.

In the 2004 Olympics, she won a gold medal in 1x100m medley relay, 1 silver (200m breaststroke) and a bronze in the 100m breaststroke.

Liesel continued her remarkable swimming career fetching a silver in 200m breaststroke and two gold medals in 100m breaststroke and 4x100m medley relay, respectively in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The Australian swimming icon finished her Olympic journey in 2012 with a silver in the 4x100m medley relay in the London Olympic Games.