SUPER G - GIAAN ROONEY FAN SITE
THE STORY SO FAR...
Like many swimmers, Giaan Rooney began due to asthma, but perhaps unlike others, she needed persuading to stick with swimming due to being torn between that and Netball and her coach Denis Cotterell was the person who did that, taking her on in his squad less than two years before the 1998 Commonwealth games...
Until the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpa, Malayasia, Giaan Rooney was a new face in Australian swimming.
The fresh-faced 15 year old from Queensland qualified in an outside lane for the 100m Backstoke final and stormed home grabbing the Gold medal from favoured and more experienced rivals. She also grabbed the Australian public with her big smile and sheer joy at not only winning gold, but competing for her country. Rooney also had golden success in the 4 x 100m Individual medley relay (swimming backstroke).
On returning home Rooney immediatley experienced the media attention and public's praise. Along with this came expectation and pressure to perform - perhaps hightened by her un-expected success.Rooney's coach, the experienced Denis Cotterell, also coached (and continues to) Daniel Kowalski and then up-and-coming 1500m star, Grant Hackett.
Cotterell advised Giaan to 'flip over' and add freestyle to her program. This drew criticism from some circles who believed it was a hinderance to her backstroke. Hindsight would prove otherwise!.
The 2000 Australian Championships was also the meet in which places for the 2000 Olympic team were to be decided.The top two places gained individual berths, with the top six all being considered for the relay teams (where applicable).
Giaan qualified individually for both the 100m Backstroke and 200m Freestyle.
In the 100m B'stroke a 'swim-off' was required with Clementine Stoney after the two tied for the second position.
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