Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Freney swims into the record books

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 the women’s 50m freestyle S7 final at the London Paralympics.

Jacqui leads the individual medal table in London having won six gold medals. She has now equalled her idol Australian swimmer Siobhan Paton’s record as a six-time gold medallist at a single Games.

Blitzing the pool, Jacqui powered home to claim gold in the final, smashing the record she set in the heats to deliver a new Paralympic record time of 32.63.

In the final 25 metres of the race, Jacqui pulled away from her competitors to finish 0.45 ahead of American Courtney Jordan.

Jacqui’s success at the London Games is an incredible achievement and a credit to her talent and competitive drive as a swimmer. She has won gold in every final event she has contested at the London Paralympics and still has more events to compete in at the Aquatics Centre.

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.