Huegill commits to London

NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athlete Geoff Huegill has signalled his intentions of competing at a third Olympic Games, announcing his decision at a press conference today in Sydney.

Huegill, who made a comeback to swimming in 2008 as an NSWIS scholarship holder, won two gold and one silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India in a showing that would have ignited the desire to compete in London.

“This is a decision that I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about, but one that I’m 100 per cent behind,” said Huegill.

“There are no guarantees to gaining Olympic selection, and I know the road ahead is going to be a tough one, but I’ve enjoyed the journey so much already, it only seems right to keep giving it a crack for the next 18 months.”

“The support that I’ve received from family and friends over the last two years has been amazing and I would also like to thank the Australian public for their support as well.”

This year Huegill will get a chance to race against the world’s best at the 2011 FINA World Championships in Shanghai, China, where he will come up against superstars of the pool in Michael Phelps, Cesar Cielo and Milorad Cavic.

Huegill’s decision to continue to London will see the NSWIS Swimming International Training Program (ITP) at full strength once again, with fellow NSWIS athlete Libby Trickett continuing her comeback to competitive swimming.

Trickett and Huegill are joined in the ITP by Eamon Sullivan, Andrew Lauterstein and Matthew Abood under the tutelage of Grant Stoelwinder.