Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Freney wins record gold haul

Joint Media Release with:

  • SENATOR KATE LUNDY Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation

    SENATOR JAN MCLUCAS Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers

Minister for Disability Reform Jenny Macklin, Minister for Sport Kate Lundy and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Jan McLucas today congratulated swimmer Jacqui Freney on winning gold in the women’s 400m freestyle S7.

Jacqui smashed the record to chase her seventh gold medal and become Australia’s most successful medallist at a single Games.

Clocking a new world record time of 4:59.02, Jacqui finished more than 19.53 seconds ahead of silver medallist Cortney Jordan from the United States.

Jacqui has blitzed the pool at the London Aquatics Centre and launched herself as one of our greatest swimmers.

Australia has exceeded our medal tally from the Beijing Games and this can be credited in large part to Jacqui who has dominated her events and led Australia’s gold rush.

The Gillard Government is working towards a future where all Australian children and adults with disability lead lives of dignity and opportunity.

We are providing $1 billion to deliver the first stage of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to provide Australians with a disability the care and support they need, when they need it.

The Australian Government has also provided strong funding to support our Paralympic Team, committing over $13.7 million in 2011-12 for the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) and $2.7 million in Direct Athlete Support (DAS) to help Australia’s Paralympic athletes reach their potential.