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last updated The current time at Albert Park, Melbourne is:
 
[[Click above images for more information on the coming events!]]   Olympic Champions and World Record Holders : Australia PHOTO COPYRIGHT: AUSTRALIA POST Are you looking to have some gold medallist stamps of your own?! Click here for all the details (Adobe Acrobat required.) PICTURE OF THE MOMENT:  
Giaan Rooney celebrates her wins in the 100m (left) and 50m backstroke (right) at the 2005 Australian Swimming Championships PHOTO COPYRIGHT: Swimming Australia CONGRATULATIONS GIAAN - 2004 FEMALE BACKSTROKE SWIMMER OF THE YEAR & 4 x 100m MEDLEY RELAY TEAM WIN 'GOLDEN MOMENT OF THE YEAR'!  Credit:Vogue Magazine In today's 100m backstroke, recording a somewhat slow time, but very understandable due to being in the middle of hard training for this year's Worlds, Aussie representative Sophie Edington was victorious in 1:03.33, leading home her Worlds team mate Giaan Rooney (1:04.51), and 2004 Olympian Marieke Guehrer third in 1:04.62. In night 1 action... Giaan Rooney was victorious in the Women's 50m backstroke event with a super swim! Giaan's time of 29.47 pretty darn impressive, just a little over a second outside her Commonwealth record!!, it was a tight race, but enough to beat home Sophie Edington (29.57) with Marieke Guehrer third in 30.33. Interestingly, while I'm not 100% sure, it looks like Giaan didn't contest the 200m backstroke perhaps all but confirming it's not on her agenda for the Montreal Worlds. This Grand Prix - which wrapped up the Dolphins World Champs camp staged at the Gold Coast this week - is the first of two meets to be swum in this format in the lead up to Worlds, Grand Prix #2 is to be held in Canberra in June. Star of the meet Libby Lenton added another win to her weekend this morning, an impressive 54.76 swim to victory in the 100m freestyle saw her swim the 6th fastest time this year! This was to go with her busy night one which was choc-a-block full of racing - an impressive 8th-fastest-in-2005 win in the 200m freestyle, victory in the 100m butterfly, and 2nd in the 50 free. National coach Alan Thompson shared his thoughts on the week, as published on the Swimming Australia website: “We had a very good Orientation camp on the Gold Coast leading into the meet, which we are using as part of our preparation for Montreal. “It is another stepping stone long the way and I’m particularly pleased with the spirit and the attitude of this team. We’ll come together for Telstra Grand Prix 2 in Canberra on June 10, 11 and 12 before we head to Orlando in Florida for our Staging Camp on July 7.” added  Check out this album to see a collection of pictures of the suit, which is signed and was worn by Giaan in Athens, won by Fernando a little while ago through the eBay auction in which all proceeds went to UNICEF and their Indonesian Earthquake appeal. Great work Fernando in not only supporting this great cause with, of course, his winning bid! - but for also taking some niiiccee pics and sharing them with me and you all too! :) Also big props to Giaan on her big part in this auction, and to all the other swimmers involved, and the Australian Swimmers Association. added [Apr 28] The latest edition of eSwimmer is full of all sorts of news, one of the biggest being the great news that Sydney will be host to the FINA World Cup short course meet, Australia's only meet on the World Cup circuit. As it moves away from being swum in Melbourne for the first time (I believe due to funding probs. in the lead up to the Comm Games '06), it's fantastic news that Oz is still hosting the event, and although not in it's 'long time home' of Melbourne, I'm sure you'll agree it's good news that we've not lost the meet from our shores all together - Personally I'm very chuffed it's going to be in Sydney & I'll be looking fwd to the opportunity to go to that meet! :-). There is also the confirmation that Sydney will again host the 2005 QANTAS Skins! Yay! ;-) AS WELL as that (news galore!) the 2005 Telstra Swimmer of the Year Awards will also be staged in Sydney! See this section of the eSwimmer newsletter for all the details there! All Great news! :-) Lastly, Kate's Confidential reports on the engagement of a 'big time' and long time member of the Aussie swim team - I'll leave you check it out if you haven't already seen! ... ;-) ..... Congrats...! [FYI: All the Athens 2004 news now has it's own section and can be easily accessed by clicking the Athens '04 'picture banner' a little further up the page here :-) ] added [Apr 6] *100m backstroke final *100m backstroke final - Post race analysis and interviews <- now available! *A 'highlight reel' featuring Giaan (from Channel 9's broadcast) ...Enjoy!! added [Apr 2] After impressive swims in the 50 and 100 back throughout the week, Tay was somewhat the victim of Giaan Rooney and Sophie Edington's scintilating form over the distances with a pair of third places. After being narrowly shaded by Zoe Tonks at the end of the first 50m, Giaan led through the next 100m but at the final turn it looked to come undone a bit for her, coincidentally not long after an overhead shot had shown her great technique and saw Nicole Livingstone comment on how she was dead-on the black line and going along nicely...! ;-) Giaan's second place in a time of 2:12.92 just outside the qualifying time for the event, but perhaps this is a 'blessing in disguise' (or maybe a plan seeing as Giaan doesn't like the 200?! :)) as it will give Giaan every opportunity to focus solely on improving her 50-100 and speed without having to take on any real longer distance specific training. [Full results] of the 200m backstroke final] Interestingly, still no word on how Giaan performed in the time trial (if it in fact has been done yet, I'd say so?!) for the 100&200 free, but after impressive and maybe even some what unexpected swims in the 200 free, maybe the opening isn't as big as first thought...! Time will tell :). Last but not least, I said I'd check my quotes ;) and Nicole Livingstone said she thought Giaan was capable of going sub-2:10 for the 200m backstroke "whether or not she wants to is another thing!" - lol! :) So I wasn't too badly misquoting there ;) with the Commonwealth Record currently at 2:09.27, that's not too far off sub-2:10 ;). added [Mar 20] Last night in Sydney Alice Mills broke through for her first Australian Championships gold, taking out the 100m freestyle last night in a blazing 53.96 - which makes her only the fifth female swimmer to swim sub-54 for the 100 free. Olympic representative Libby Lenton, who of course set a WR in the semi finals of the event at last year's Championships, set the speed early on in the race - well under the WR split (I know what you might be thinking, Jodie Henry does go out comparitively slow! ;)) - before Mills, who timed her race to perfection, flew down the final 50m with Olympic Champion and WR holder Jodie Henry following suit to snare second in 54.18, leaving Libby Lenton in the unenviable third place, although another classy time (54.26), of course only the top two swimmers to post qualifying times are in the picture for an individual 100 free swim. The relays are definitely something to look forward to though! It's great that Alice has won her first Aussie title hopefully many, many more to come for her! (She gets pretty emotional ... it's very 'awww'! ... :)) In the semi finals of the 200m back., Giaan Rooney cruised comfortably to second place in her semi - third fastest overall of tonight's final - in a time of 2:14.69. Fran Adcock (2:14.26) and Amy Lucas (2:14.65) lead the field. In the commentary, both Ray Warren and Nicole Livingstone spoke of how although Giaan doesn't like to swim the 200m back. - "She hates it!!" were Ray Warren's words! ;) - Nicole also spoke of how she thinks Giaan is almost a natural for the event, with her great successes in the 200m free and backstroke abilities it's somewhat of a good formula! <- there or there about's with that quote! ;) I could be wrong, but I also think Nicole said that she is of the belief that Giaan could break the Commonwealth Record in the event if she trained for it...! (I will check my quotes ;)) The final is event number 5 on tonight's program. Check your guides for TV times, or do what I will be doing this time tomorrow night & get out there to watch the action live if you can! :) A big Good luck to G as she goes for the treble! Big thumbs up to The top three is rounded out by Giaan Rooney and Zoe Tonks both clocked the same time - 2:16.31 - in this morning's session!! - Somewhat surprisingly for me, Mel Morgan missed the cut for the semis. Full results for the 200m backstroke heats can be found here Good luck to Giaan and all the swimmers for tonight's semi's and finals action - it should be another great evening of swimming, with some of the highlights being the Women's 100m freestyle and Matt Welsh gunning for the 50, 100, 200 treble in the backstroke! Be sure to get out to the Sydney Aquatic Centre if you can, or tune into Ch 9 or Fox Sports (check your guides!) for some great swimming action! added [Mar 17] The top three is rounded out by Giaan (29.52) and Belinda Nevell (29.80). Full results for the 50m back heats can be found here Good luck to Giaan and all the swimmers for tonight's semi's and finals action and be sure to get out to the Sydney Aquatic Centre if you can, or tune into Ch 9 or Fox Sports (check your guides!) for some great swimming action! added [Mar 16] Three-peat – Giaan qualifies for Worlds in new Australian record time! added [Mar 16] In a relatively slow morning heats session (compared to what our sprint free and back girls like to bust out! ;)) the top three are, surprise surprise ;) Sophie Edington (1:02.70) and Tay Zimmer (1:02.86). Full results for the 100 back heats can be found here Good luck to Giaan and all the swimmers for tonight's semi's and finals action! added [Mar 13] Nice update on how Giaan's preperation for the up coming Aussie Champs are going, as well as a bit more info about the 'Giaan Rooney Lady Shaver' also see the link below, for those interested! :) Want to know more about the Giaan Rooney Lady Shaver and perhaps even buy it? Click here to visit the Innovations website! added [Feb 24] Nice article! added [Feb 19] Giaan joins fellow Olympic Gold medallists on 2005 Australia Day honours list! Right-click here to download the video of the snippet of Giaan's thoughts on the award - LOL - funny stuff! (Video from Channel 7 News-26.01.05) Good'onya G! :) No updates over the weekend, I'm off to Melbourne for the AUSSIE OPEN FINALS <- excited! :) So if theres any news over the weekend, I'll update here next week sometime ;) added [Jan 27] *International Quarterback have launched their new website, and there's a ton of new content, pics and lots more! So be sure to go and check it out, if you haven't already! - News on Giaan, Giaan's the one for Singo * Giaan has been busy last weekend as the Face of the Magic Millions back home on the Gold Coast :) Click here for some piccies -pg's 1 & 2- - IQ site has some cool pics too! :) (On NewsPix, found some more under 'Magic Millions', coz I often forget I'd find more if I searched for 'Giann Rooney' as well! :-P) * Last but certainly not least!, as others may have noticed on the IQ site, in Giaan's section under 'Sponsors' it appears our fav. swimmer is to put her name to a shaver! :-) I can't seem to find anymore info just yet, but the initial proof ;) is here! added [Jan 13] I know, sorry, not all the 'exclusive/rare' in the slightest! But I got a video capture card for Xmas (yipee! :)), and after much trouble with it, this is all I've captured so far, video-wise, so look out for some more video (Giaan's interview with Tony Squires and G's reporting from Indy 2004 will be next!) and pics over the coming days. Remember: to download the files, right click the link and choose 'Save target as...' added [Jan 4]  Click the above picture to see the article from in this week's Woman's Day magazine. added [Dec 7] I mentioned in my other update how Tay's was the second fastest time swum this year, should have known to check the Aussie record books also! :) Big Well done! added [Nov 27] Although Giaan was previously listed as starting in the 100m free in this mornings session, the start lists say otherwise...! *shrugs* guess not then! :) added [Nov 26]  HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY GIAAN!!!
~All the best to 'G' for the year ahead!!~ added [Nov 15] This article talks about, amongst other things, how Jodie Henry is going to give the 200m free a shot at the Aussie Champs / Worlds Trials this March in Sydney* (*I had put Melboure previously- sorry about that, they're being swum there in '06...) ... she swum a 1.59.23sec in the heats at this year trials, before withdrawing to concentrate on her other events ... It's scary how good she could be come March, after having training behind her specific for the 200 free... While it mightn't be be best news with regards to Giaan's intentions for the 200 free (article below) as going on what will be Jodie's form from the trials this year, she's going to be pretty bloody good in another 4 months!!!. But it's very exciting news, I'm sure it'll be a good challenge not only for Giaan, but for the likes of Elka Graham, Linda Mackenzie, Shayne Reese, Alice Mills and all the other girls gunning for the individual swims and places on the relay team. added [Nov 10] Giaan all revved up The number of sports stars who try their hand in the media gets bigger by the day. You can now add to that list Olympic swimming gold medallist Giaan Rooney, who this weekend makes her debut on Network Ten's coverage of the Indy 300 on the Gold Coast. Rooney - who spent most of her life on the Gold Coast before moving to Melbourne two years ago - will conduct driver interviews, as well as covering some of the off-track activities. To view the full article, click here. added. [Oct 21] *SAT: 11 a.m - 5 p.m *SUN: 11 a.m - 5 p.m For those interested -- I'll be watching what I can (& perhaps taping...!) so look out for a little report of how Giaan went - It should be good to see, I'm sure she'll go good - in her previous stints doing some work in front of the camera have been good!. added [Oct 21] Aces on deck Sunday Herald Sun , 10-10-2004 , Ed: 1 - FIRST , Pg: 080 , 43 words , SPORT Big fish Ian Thorpe, Giaan Rooney and Brooke Hanson will be likely starters at this year's Spring Carnival as guests of Emirates. Also watch out for footy types Andrew Demetriou, James Hird, Eddie McGuire, Paul Licuria, Shane Wakelin, Shane Woewodin... ...and that's as far as 'Newstext gets you without paying the $1 or so for the full article ;). added [Oct 17] 'The Eye' - Herald Sun's version of The Daily T's 'Sydney Confidential ' I believe! - hosted the inaugural 'Eye Spring Racing Soiree' at Caulfield on Tuesday night, where "Famous faces from sport, fashion and entertainment gathered at the Caulfield Fashion Pavilion. ... Co-hosted by The Eye and the Melbourne Racing Club, it was the first gathering of Melbourne's A-list for the hectic racing season. ... The soiree officially launches the Caulfield Cup Carnival, which kicks off on October 9 with the Caulfield Guineas, and continues on October 13 with Thousand Guineas and ends with the Caulfield Cup on October 16.". Among those in attendance was Giaan Rooney, you can follow the link to one of the the stories on the soiree [above], which also has a picture of G with Daniel Kowalski. added [Oct 2]  added [Sept 12] |
![from the Woman's Day magazine [July 1-8]](http://www.oocities.org/giaanrooneyfans1/wdbongo.jpg)
