When Michelle Lischinsky dips her toe in the Olympic pool in Sydney, the 25-year-old will be representing Canada for the first time internationally at the senior level. Her last international competition for Canada was a junior meet eight years ago. Her qualification for the Olympic team was a surprise to all as she beat out rising young star Erin Gammel for the 100 backstroke pot.

 "I was confident in how my training was going," said Lischinsky, an anthropology graduate at the University of Manitoba. "You hope for this but you don't know for sure this is actually going to happen. My age is pretty old for this scene but I've learned how to pay attention details such as good nutrition and proper rest and that all comes into play."

 She once coached Canada's top backstroker Kelly Stefanyshyn and still teaches young swimmers on the side while living at home. "I've had a great support system," she said. Her coach is Vlastimil Cerny, a member of the 1988 Olympic team.

2000 Games
Sept. 22: Women's 400-metre individual medley: Michelle Lischinsky, Winnipeg; Christin Petelski, Victoria; Jen Button, Waterloo, Ont., and Laura Nicholls, Waterloo, finished fourth in heat, advanced to final.
Sept. 17: Michelle Lischinsky, Winnipeg, was seventh in semifinal heat, eliminated.

Photos
Michelle Lischinsky finishes 13th


2000 Games Swimming Coverage