Petria Thomas is one of the foundations of the Australian Olympic swimming team. Born in Lismore, Petria will represent Australia at the Olympics for the third time when she competes at this year’s Games in Athens. Becton Life spoke to Petria about her start in the sport, as well as her thoughts about motivation and life after swimming.

Petria Thomas started swimming at the age of four. Like most children, she competed in many different sports but her aptitude in the pool quickly outshone all other disciplines – making the choice to stick to swimming an easy one.

“I played a lot of different sports when I was young, but I guess that swimming was the one I was the best at,’’ she says. ``I also played netball, softball and basketball.’’

At this early stage, Petria looked to the golden girl of the pool, Lisa Curry, as her role model.Today, she has taken on the job of being a leader and role model for a new generation of Australian swimmers.

“These days it’s a little different in that I think of myself as having a responsibility as a role model for others,’’ she says.

The endless hours of early morning training in the pool plus gym, physiotherapy and massage sessions as well as numerous media commitments must take its toll on an athlete’s motivation. But Petria has found a way to battle procrastination and lack of motivation by applying herself to her studies.

“I keep myself busy doing lots of different things so I do not get bored,’’ she says. “I have just finished my university degree, which took up a lot of my time outside of swimming. I will now look towards the next challenge to keep me motivated.’’

Injury also has a major effect on motivation for elite athletes, and Petria’s battles with injury have been well documented.These have been the most difficult times during her career.

“One always has doubts that you can make it back after some of the surgery that I have had, but then you do.’’

Living life in the spotlight has also provided challenges for Thomas and her family away from the pool.

“I also find it hard to be the profile swimmer that I am because I am a very shy person and am embarrassed when people ask me for an autograph or just recognise me.’’

Years in elite sport have taught Petria many lessons – dedication, drive, motivation and inspiration.These are essential for survival in today’s business world and are learned by sportspeople every day.

“Business should look towards sportspeople who have worked hard for their goals to fill motivational and inspirational roles within their organisations,’’ Petria says.

Inspiration and motivation are essential, but every elite athlete needs further support to reach his or her goals. Support from family, the adoring public and from the corporate world. Becton is proud to be a supporter of Petria. “Becton has made it possible for me to get the best out of my final preparation for the Olympic Games by financially supporting me,’’ Petria says.

“I would like to see the relationship develop in that I can promote Becton as the professional business that they are with me being as professional as I can be with my sporting results and conduct.’’

Petria has already set her goals for life after swimming.

“I want to be a great role model for young people and teach them to stick with things and achieve what they have set out to do. I guess I would like to see myself in a role within sport or in the business field.’’


ROAD TO ATHENS: Update one by Petria Thomas

To the Team at Becton

With the start of the Olympic Games just a month away, life in swimming is starting to get pretty exciting. I have recently returned from a one month trip to the USA where I completed one week of training in Flagstaff (altitude training), two weeks in Phoenix, and then travelled to Long Beach, California for a swim meet against some of America’s best. It was a successful trip away with some good quality training and racing.

I have spent the last couple of weeks continuing my preparation in Canberra with all things going well. Then last week the entire Australian Swim Team gathered in Brisbane for some final racing practice. The team competed against each other in two swim meets over the week. It provided a good opportunity to hone some of those all important racing skills such as starts turns and finishes etc. I was extremely happy with my performances and times.

This week, I am back in Canberra before heading off to Singapore on Sunday 18th July to commence final preparations for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

The 10 days in Singapore will provide for some acclimatization to heat that we can expect to experience in the Greek summer. From Singapore I will meet up with the rest of the Australian Team in Sindelfingen in Germany for 11 days before heading to Athens.

As you can see, it is now all systems go! I am excited about what may lay ahead and eager to face the challenges that arise. Thanks again for all the support.

Regards
Petria



THE ROAD TO ATHENS: Update number 2

With only a couple of weeks to go before the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympic Games, the Australian Olympic Swim Team has gathered in Sindelfingen

(Germany) to finish off final preparations for the all important racing which lies ahead. Team spirit is good as always even though there are some weary eyes after the long travel time from Australia to Europe. I was fortunate enough to have been in Singapore for the last 10 days or so with the AIS team. Our Singapore visit turned out to be a blessing as it broke up our long trip to Germany and provided some warm weather training in preparation for the heat of Athens. Training in Singapore went well, but it was also great to escape the bitter cold winter that Canberra is experiencing at the moment. It was an easy and relaxing visit to Singapore and I was able to enjoy the great shopping and culinary delights that the country has to offer. What was better still is that I was able to escape all the Olympic hype and scandal th at has been occurring back in Australia for the last month or so. All in all I feel very relaxed about my preparations leading into the Olympic Games and am looking forward to my races.

On a personal front, my husband Julian has probably already arrived in Athens. He is a strength and conditioning coach, and is ensuring that everything is in order when the athletes arrive.

My mum and sister are also coming to Athens, and I cannot wait to catch up with them over there.

Thanks again for all your support and I hope all is well back home.

Petria



Saturday 07/08/04
Well it's finally time to head to Athens. The swim team is packing up their base in Germany and getting ready to move into the Athens Olympic Village.

The big move will take place tomorrow (Sunday) and everyone is excited about finally getting to the Olympic city. It is quite a logistical challenge to move around 60 or so people with tones of luggage, but hopefully tomorrow will go as smoothly as possible.

The camp here in Germany has gone pretty well, both for me personally, and the team. The weather has been great and we have even managed to get in some outdoor training sessions to prepare us for the sun in Athens. The team has bonded really well together which will no doubt help us all when the pressure in on during the games. Even though swimming is largely an individual sport, it is amazing to see how a very diverse range of swimmers, support staff and coaches can come together and work for the good of the 'team'.

This time in a week I should have completed my first day of racing! I hope all goes well. I feel like I have had a very good preparation, so hopefully that will translate into some fast races for me.

Thanks again for all your support. I hope I can make you all proud.

Petria



Petria’s schedule leading up to Athens:
18-27 July: AIS Training Camp, Singapore

28 July-8 August: Olympic Team Staging Camp, Germany

9-23 August: Olympic Athlete Village, Athens, Greece

19-22 September: National Short Course Championships

Petria Thomas Swim Times for Athens

100m Butterfly	- heats 14th 5pm - semis 15th 2.30 am - final 16th 2.30 am
200m Butterfly	- heats 17th 5pm - semis 18th 2.30am - final 19th 2.30am
200m relay	- heats 18th 5pm - final 19th 2.30am
Medley relay	- heats 21st 5pm - Final 22nd 2.30am
100 m relay	- heats 14th 5pm - final 15th 2.30am