Science student gears up for swim of a lifetime

Butterflies are beginning to flutter in the stomach of UQ science student Melanie Schlanger as she prepares to don the green and gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

The Clem Jones Scholarship holder has been excitedly awaiting the games after being selected into the Australian Olympic swim team in March.

The 21 year-old, from St Lucia, will compete in the 4x100 and 4x200 freestyle relays.

“Hearing people say the world Olympics makes my hair stand on the back of my neck,” she said.

“I’m just making sure all the preparation is complete.

“Once I get there it will feel more real.”

Ms Schlanger has definitely clocked-up her time in the pool of late, training for about 40 hours a week, with several sessions a day.

“We get Sundays off, but every other day is about two to three training sessions a day,” she said.

“I think our relay team in the 4x100 definitely have a good shot at the gold medal.

“I need to definitely be on my game and swim really fast.

“I have a personal goal for the time I would like to swim.”

Studying a Bachelor of Science with a major in biomedicine, this will be Ms Schlanger’s first Olympic appearance, after representing Australia at the Pan Pacific Championships in 2006 and the World Championships in Melbourne in 2007.

“When I started swimming I never thought I would be part of any Australian Olympic team,” she said.

Ms Schlanger said she really enjoyed science and biology in school so biomedicine was a natural path to follow and when it came to juggling a university degree with swimming, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“The life I live is absolutely incredible,” she said.

“It’s been quite easy with UQ being so supportive of me.

“Being part of the Olympic team has always been an honour.”

Media: Eliza Plant at UQ Communications (07 3365 2619, e.plant @uq.edu.au)