Stephanie Rice is looking to making a difference to swimming in India, via partnerships with private bodies and associations.
The Australian, who won three gold medals with world record timings at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and coach Michael Bohl are ready with plans to help out swimmers with potential, besides working with junior and senior swimmers.
The 31-year-old Swimming Hall of Famer is in the city to explore partners for opening the Stephanie Rice Swimming Academy (SRSA).
“World-class training can help talented Indian swimmers aim for medals at the Olympic Games.
“From my own experience, I appreciate the contribution of good coaching. I want swimmers here to benefit from my training, knowledge and experience,” noted Stephanie, who retired at 24 after the 2012 London Olympics.
Focusing on young talent
She is open to setting up the academy in any city and informed about focussing on swimmers in the 13+ age group already attached to a club and potential to compete for India. The Olympic champion plans for SRSA also include senior and junior squads for nine-year-olds.
“I am ready to work with a swimmer with medal potential at the Olympics. I will be dealing personally with the athlete for one year, work spread over three to four months,” said the Australian, familiar to Indians, following her work as presenter with the PKL last season.
Stephanie, who won the 200m and 400m individual medley and was part of the champion 4x200m freestyle, was chosen ‘best female swimmer’ at Beijing and received the award alongside Michael Phelps. She was a television expert at Rio in 2016.
