In the short history of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival no athlete has created such a stir as swimmer Travis Nederpelt who won a record seven gold medals in 2003.
The 17-year-old from Perth made history winning all seven events he contested.
His victories included the 400, 800 and 1500m freestyle, 200 and 400 metre individual medley, 200m butterfly and he was a member of the 4 x 200m freestyle relay team.
Along the way he broke the AYOF record in the 1500m which still stands today.
“The Olympic Festival was my first international event that included some of the other powerhouse nations of my sport, namely America and Japan. I was very surprised by how well I swam at the 2003 Festival, I won and did a PB in all 14 races I did so I was really happy” he said.
“I formed many friendships during the 2003 Festival with fellow swimmers, staff, and coaches that have helped me feel more comfortable in teams today.
“The Festival gave me an insight to international competition, but the best lesson I learned was the value of team support and morale during a tough competition” Nederpelt said.
“The Festival helped teach me the things I would need to do to get the best out of myself at the Olympic Games.”
The Australian Olympic Committee created the Festival in 2001 as a legacy of the Sydney 2000 Games. It is a stepping stone for young athletes into the elite ranks.
And that is where Nederpelt headed after his huge medal haul. He competed for Australia in the 400m individual medley and the 200m butterfly at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Like Nederpelt many of the athletes from the 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 Festivals will actually go on and wear the green and gold in Beijing in 2008.
“Get out there and enjoy the experience, you never know what this meet could bring you, it could be one of your best memories, and for a lucky number it could be a stepping stone to great things” he said.
The fourth Festival will be staged from the 17th – 21st of January. Over two thousand athletes and officials from 20 countries are attending.
China is sending a very large team in preparation for their Olympics and so too is Great Britain who hosts the Olympics in 2012.
The event continues to grow in stature. The first Festival had ten sports on the program, this time there are sixteen sports including two winter sports, figure skating and speed skating, included for the first time.
AOC
