Jennifer Fratesi is another member in Canada's talented youth movement in swimming. Like many of her teammates, the question is can she take the next step and win a medal at the Olympics. Canada has a lot of depth in the sport but a big superstar has yet to emerge. Fratesi has shown a lot of potential.
At the 2001 world championships she was fourth in the women's 200 backstroke clocking a Canadian record that still stands today. It was Canada's best individual result at those championships. She was named Swimming Canada's female athlete of the year and her coach Bud McAllister received coach of the year honors.
She admittedly struggled in 2002 but reached a world championship final again last year placing sixth.
"My goal this year is to break my Canadian record and hopefully that can translate into an Olympic medal," she said.
Fratesi started swimming at age six in Sault Ste Marie, Ont. Her parents are both physicians who diagnose and treat cancer patients. Fratesi who'll begin her university studies after the 2004 Olympics, is also eyeing a similar career as an oncologist.
