The Spirit of Australian Sport: Swimming

In the lead up to the Beijing Olympics Australia's greatest ever Olympian, Ian Thorpe will host a two hour special exclusive to The History Channel exploring why Australians have such a love affair with the sport of swimming. The Spirit of Australian Sport - Swimming will have its world premiere on Wednesday, July 30 at 8:30pm AEST.

Thorpe, who'sachievements in the water are nothing short of phenomenal, having broken 22 world records and won 5 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze Olympic medals by the age of 22, takes viewers on a journey to discover why the sport of swimming captures the imagination of our nation and examines how swimming evolved from a need for survival to Australia's most successful and popular Olympic sport.

Featuring never before seen archival footage, extracts from personal diaries and interviews with some of the sports greatest personalities including Dawn Fraser, Shane Gould, Lisa Forrest, Neil Brooks and legendary coach Forbes Carlile, the special goes behind the scenes of some of Australia's greatest swimming moments to find out how they were achieved and what really went on behind the marshalling area.

"Swimming has been a huge part of my life, and in this special viewers will see how the sport has made such an incredible impact on so many Australians," said Thorpe.

"Whether it's paddling in the surf with friends or competing on any level, when you think about it, swimming is an Australian way of life.

"Just as we are about to cheer on our new stars of the pool in Beijing, it is inspiring for me to reflect on the huge success Australian swimmers have had over the years.

The stories and struggles they have to tell are truly moving and inspirational."

As well as discussing his own moments in the pool, Thorpe looks back at the evolution of the Australian crawl, the amazing history behind the first indoor teaching pool and the Australian-led breakthroughs that revolutionised the sport. Also examined in the special is the development of the swimsuit as well as political intervention and the advent of major marketing and professionalism that has all played a role in shaping the sport.




The Spirit of Australian Sport - Swimming is the second special in The History Channel's exclusively produced sporting series. Other sports showcased throughout the year will include Rugby League, Horse Racing and Tennis.

Produced by Hark Attack Productions, The Spirit of Australian Spirit - Swimming will have its world premiere on Wednesday, July 30 at 8:30pm AEST on The History Channel.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Ian
• Thorpe
• Spirit
• Australian
• Sport
• Swimming
• History
• Channel

[daexmachinus]

@kyle1172 Heyheyhey not all Americans are fat :/ at least you gotta give credit to SOME Americans for staying healthy...

[varunkishnani]

From where can i downld this ? does History Channel sell dvd copies ?

[kyle1172]

NO mate I think you got australians mixed up with those morbidley obese Americans who have brains the size of their dicks  ( EXTREMELY small) Australians shit on Americans both in the pool and out of the pool and so does the rest of the world, now go cry over a cheese burger at macdonalds with your fat girlfriend you yanky fuck...

[Trulyloyale]

" at the beginning "  correction in my below comment .

[Trulyloyale]

The Spirit of australian sport ??

Getting doped and cheating their dirty senseless olympic medals like their worthy US rivals, and then covering up any raising scandal coming out on national media , like they did at the neginning of 2007 .....!!

That's the spirit of so shameless hypocrites and so brazen faced doped cheaters as the australians .

[damngirlichiz7]

australias gonna have the best swimmers in the future !!!!!!!!!!!!

[HardyV1]

Awesome.

Great gold in the relay today!

[khavelkova]

Thanks !!!