Podium goal for Olympic swimmer – Bendigo Sports Star Award

JENNA Strauch is ready to get back in the pool and compete at the highest level and off the back of her showing that the Tokyo Olympics swimmer has been named Bendigo Sports Star winner for July.

“It means a lot, Bendigo’s my hometown, I don’t live there permanently but my family’s from there, I grew up there they’re living there and it’s a big part of my journey,” Strauch said.

“I’m so proud of where I’ve come from so to be able to receive that award and still be a part of the community is pretty special to me.”

Strauch competed in the 200-metre breaststroke at last month’s games, finishing sixth in her semi-final and missing the final by about half a second.

She said coming that close motivates her to train for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“I swam a personal best time while I was over there so to do that at an Olympics is something that I really need to be proud of, it’s pretty hard to do that on a big world stage especially at an Olympics,” she said.

“Getting ninth is hard, I just needed one more spot and we would’ve been into the final and another swim, but everything happens for a reason, and I am so motivated going forward.

“I look at the girl who actually won my event and got the world record, and about three years ago she was sitting in a similar position to what I am.

“Hopefully in three years’ time I’ll be back with the team, and we can try get on that podium.”

Although her performance didn’t end in individual success, Strauch said she was honoured to be a part of Australia’s most successful Olympic swimming team ever.

“I’ve grown up looking up to the era that’s had Liesel Jones, Ian Thorpe, all those really big names in swimming and so to be actually a part of a team that has excelled and overachieved is something that’s hard to put I to words,” she said.

With Bendigo cheering for her during the Games, Strauch said she is grateful to have the support of her hometown behind her on her journey.

“I just hope the community knows they always have a place with me in my heart and I hope that I’ve been able to inspire younger kids and even adults to have a dream and do what you need to do to get there,” she said.