EXCLUSIVE CHAT WITH SWIM TEAM
Ahead of the Commonwealth Games next week, two Bond University students sat down with members of the Australian swimming team to talk all things sport, study and how ro juggle the two.
RECENTLY I spoke to four Bond University students who will swim for Australia at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, learning how they dominate the pool and life in general.
When my friend Niamh and I were given the opportunity to meet Alex Graham, Elijah Winnington, Laura Taylor and Melanie Wright we jumped at the chance.
Beforehand, we couldn’t help but feel inferior to these sporting stars, but once we started chatting to them we realised they are easygoing people who have, as retired champion Melanie Wright put it, “done a bit of swimming”.
The youngest member of the male team, Elijah Winnington, 17, whose last name underscores his career, has been winning gold since the age of 10 thanks to a driving ambition, early mornings and endless laps.
“You always have dreams and aspirations, but it’s a few years back when I really just sat down and said hey, if I really knuckle down I can make this team,” he said.
Surrounded by university students, it is easy to fall into the trap of complaining about our busy lifestyles, but after hearing the demanding training schedules of these athletes, we almost wanted to be busier ourselves.
MELANIE Wright is basically Australia’s Wonder Woman.
She’s a medicine student and mother, holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, an MBA, won two Olympic gold medals and a string of World Championships.
Unable to comprehend how someone could be so good at everything, I set out to uncover the Melbourne-born allrounder’s secret.
Chatting with Mel, it quickly became apparent why she is so successful. Whether it be discussing her swimming accolades or juggling study and motherhood, she is the epitome of modesty and determination.
“There were rumours before I started studying that there would be an Olympic swimmer in the cohort but these days they realise I’m no different, I’ve just done a bit of swimming,” she says. “I just take each day one at a time, work out what needs to get done and do it.”
Despite hanging up the goggles in 2016, Mel is excitedly awaiting the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
“I got to perform at home at the World Championships in Melbourne. Absolute best experience of my entire career so I know our athletes are going to swim better just off the crowd,” she said. But before I let this soon-to-be doctor go I had to ask What is your secret study food?
“I’m a bit of a chocoholic — when I was a bit younger my study food was M & M’s but I’ve had to go away from that getting a bit older,” she laughs.
It’s safe to say I went straight to the shops to stock up — you can’t argue with Wonder
Woman.