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For many, the Athens Olympics will be fondly remembered as the Olympics that announced Jodie Henry to the world. Australia's new Queen of the pool smashed three world records on her way to winning three gold medals.
Bursting onto the scene after the Sydney Games, Henry enjoyed success at Commonwealth and World Championships level before making the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad her own.
From Brisbane's Chandler Swim Club, where her teammates include Alice Mills, Henry graduated to the Telstra Dolphins squad in 2001, when she was selected for her hometown Goodwill Games.
The talented freestyler rose to prominence in 2002. After gaining confidence and form against some of the world's best on the European Mare Nostrum Tour, Henry landed three gold and one silver medal at the Manchester Commonwealth Games. Her haul included a role in the team that broke the Commonwealth Record in the 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay.
Her affinity with relays continued at the Pan Pacs, as she produced a giant final leg to give Australia an upset victory over the USA in the 4 x100m Medley Relay, again in Commonwealth Record time. Swimming at her first FINA World Championships, Henry again produced her trademark powerful finish to take silver in the 100-metre freestyle. Bronze in each of the relay events capped off a fine World Championships for Henry.
Her standout year was recognised when she was named the 2003 Speedo Female Sprint Freestyle Swimmer of the Year.
After producing personal bests at the Telstra Olympic Team Trials in the 50, 100 and 200-metre freestyle, Henry ventured to Athens with victory in mind. On Day 1, Henry produced a withering finish to give Australia Gold in the Women's 4 x 100 metre Freestyle Relay and ownership of the World Record. The ever-smiling Henry then broke the World Record in her semi-final of the 100 metre Freestyle en route to her first individual Olympic Gold medal - Australia's first in this event since Dawn Fraser at the 1964 Tokyo Games.
Saving perhaps the best for last, Henry careered away in the anchor leg to secure Australia's win in the 4 x 100 metre Medley Relay, again in a new World Record time. Since Athens, Henry has affirmed her world number one ranking with victory in the 100m freestyle at the 2005 World Championships in Montreal.
In 2006, Henry showed her class at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne by winning gold in the 4x100m Freestyle and two individual silver medals in the 50m and 100m Freestyle.
Henry competed in her second World Championships in Melbourne in 2007 where she produced a phenomenal final leg in the women's 4 x 100m to steer Australia to the gold medal.
Jodie Henry has hung up her goggles and is currently enjoying life in Brisbane. She has recently married her partner, former Brisbane Lions star Tim Notting in a beautiful ceremony on a beach in Bali.
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