Henry to miss Beijing Olympics
Triple Olympic gold medallist Jodie Henry is set to announce
tomorrow she will not be competing in Beijing.
The darling of the pool at the 2004 Athens Games will hold a
press conference in Brisbane for 10.15am local time (11.15am AEDT)
tomorrow at Chandler Aquatic Centre.
The former 100m freestyle world record holder has been suffering
from a pelvic complaint that has hampered her ability to prepare
properly for next month’s Olympic trials in Sydney.
Swimmers must compete at the cut-throat meet to qualify for the
Australian Olympic swim team.
Henry’s absence will be a major blow to Australia’s defence of
the women’s 4×100m relay in China.
Australian head coach Alan Thompson said Henry was still making
up her mind tonight and shot down talk of an imminent
retirement.
“Certainly not retirement, she is very, very certain on that, it
is just in regards to the trials,” he said.
“She is just very relieved about finally coming to some sort of
resolution on the injury that she has got and the procedures for
the treatment.
“I need her to make a decision on where she wants to go with
this.
“She has to be comfortable with her own decision and I certainly
would not want to force her into something that she regrets.”
Henry, 24, has been a declining force in sprint events since her
stunning performances in Athens where she won the 100m freestyle
gold medal and anchored Australia to victory in the 4×100m and
4×100m medley relays.
The likes of fellow Australian Libby Lenton and Germany’s Britta
Steffen moved past her in 2006 and Henry has been unable to catch
up.
Henry has tried three different coaches in a bid to regain her
sparkle in the pool since Athens but her sixth place at last year’s
Melbourne world championships in the 100m final confirmed she was
on the slide.
She moved from Canberra back to her hometown of Brisbane late
last year before her Olympic campaign came undone because her
pelvis is out of alignment.
“It varies from an annoying pain to a very intense pain and you
can’t really pick it,” Thompson said of Henry’s injury.
“It has been very frustrating for her.”
Henry will be greatly missed in the 4×100m relay and her
withdrawal means Australia will be relying heavily on brilliant
youngster Cate Campbell to fill the void.
AAP
