Leisel Jones, who launches her fourth Olympics assault tonight, talks to Michael Cowley.
A LONG time ago, and after way too much angst and anguish, Leisel Jones made a decision. There was no point caring about what other people thought of her.
It came after the Athens Olympics. Jones was photographed on the dais after winning bronze, sporting the look of someone who wanted to be anywhere but where she was. The teenager had wanted gold, was disappointed she didn't win, but says the look was simply a typical one of blankness.
To say she was criticised would be like saying Michael Phelps can swim a bit. Even Dawn Fraser chimed in with a sledge.
"Of course it's tough when everyone is saying those things about it," Jones told The Sun-Herald.
In an interview before she left Australia for her fourth Olympics, and before media reports surfaced last week that she may be out of condition and carrying a bit of weight, Jones said: "'It's hard enough in the schoolyard when someone says this person doesn't like you, but it was there for everyone to see. It was an extremely difficult time to have to deal with it. I was only 18. But you learn about yourself as well, and before that I had no idea who I was as a person.
"I'm probably thankful I went through it actually. I don't think I would be in this position now if I didn't go through the Athens experience. It was very public, though. If I had given up at that, said this is not for me ... it would have been very weak of me to give it all in."
Asked if she cared what people thought about her, Jones said "no".
"It took me a long time to learn that. I used to care ... what people thought about me, and doing the right thing and all that stuff, but now I know that does not bring anybody happiness, no matter who you are.
"You've got to learn to accept who I am. I'm a bit quirky, I'm a bit different, I get told I'm weird at training all the time - probably because I dress differently, and have interest in other things like fashion and beauty, and they couldn't care less about it and think it's strange. But that's OK, I don't care. I've embraced that and to be who I am ... I can only be true to myself."
Tonight (at 7.30pm Sydney time) Jones will begin her fourth and probably final - "retirement is always in the back of your mind but I haven't decided anything yet" - Olympics in the 100m breaststroke. A medal in London would be her ninth and she would equal Ian Thorpe as our greatest medal winner. It is the event where it all began 12 years ago when a precocious 14-year-old stunned the likes of Samantha Riley and Brooke Hanson by winning at the Australian trials. Four months later she won silver at the Sydney Games.
"That seems a lifetime away. I am a different athlete now, not as naive as I used to be. I was pretty much blindfolded going into that.
"For me, the Olympics were just a swim meet. I was going back to school after it. It didn't matter what I did. There was no financial pressure on me. I had no sponsors, no expectations ... I was so, ditzy, so like, 'la, la, la'. I was probably more concerned about what colour my nails were going to be than if anyone was trying to psyche me out. ... It was bit of a blur. You win two silver medals [she also won one in the medley relay] and you have to go back to school."
After three attempts, Jones finally "got it right" in China, winning individual gold in the 100m breaststroke. Was it all it was cracked up to be? "No, it wasn't, and if you read any athlete's autobiography, they all say the same thing. It's more of a relief that you got there: 'Ah, thank God.' "
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Who is Leisel Jones and what Olympic events is she best known for?
Leisel Jones is an Australian swimmer who has competed at four Olympics and is best known for the 100m breaststroke (and for contributions to medley relay teams). She first burst onto the scene as a 14‑year‑old at the Australian trials and went on to become one of Australia’s most decorated swimmers.
How many Olympic medals has Leisel Jones won and what would a London medal mean for her record?
By the time she headed into the London Olympics, Jones had won multiple Olympic medals across several Games, including individual gold in China. A medal in London would have been her ninth and would have equalled Ian Thorpe as Australia’s greatest medal winner.
How did criticism after the Athens Olympics affect Leisel Jones’ mindset and public image?
After Athens Jones faced heavy criticism—she was photographed looking blank on the dais and even received public sledges. She says the experience was tough but formative: it forced her to stop caring about others’ opinions, helped her learn who she was, and ultimately strengthened her resolve.
Were there media reports about Leisel Jones’ fitness before her fourth Olympics?
Yes. Before leaving Australia for her fourth Olympics, media reports surfaced suggesting she might be out of condition and carrying a bit of weight. The article notes those reports appeared before she boarded for London.
Did Leisel Jones face financial pressure or have sponsors early in her career?
No. Jones has said that early in her career the Olympics felt like 'just a swim meet' because there was no financial pressure—she had no sponsors and no expectations at that time, which allowed her to focus on competing and then returning to school.
What has Leisel Jones said about retirement and her future after the Olympics?
Jones acknowledged that retirement is 'always in the back of your mind' but said she hadn't decided anything yet. The London Games were described as her fourth and 'probably final' Olympics, but she stopped short of announcing a definite retirement.
How did Leisel Jones’ early success as a 14‑year‑old shape her Olympic journey?
Winning the Australian trials as a precocious 14‑year‑old and then taking silver at the Sydney Games introduced Jones to elite sport very young. She says she was naive then—more concerned with ordinary teen things—and that those early experiences marked the beginning of a long Olympic career and personal growth.
Has Leisel Jones’ personal style and interests influenced how people perceive her?
Yes. Jones says she’s often told she’s 'quirky' or 'weird' at training because she dresses differently and has interests in fashion and beauty. Rather than change, she’s embraced that side of herself and learned to be true to who she is.
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