Brianna Throssell getting fitted out for her Commonwealth Games gear.
Camera IconBrianna Throssell getting fitted out for her Commonwealth Games gear. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie www.communitypix.com.au d473550

Swimming hopeful Throssell helps launch Commonwealth Games Team Appeal in Perth

Belinda CiprianoWestern Suburbs Weekly

FEELING revived after a European summer holiday, City Beach’s Brianna Throssell has dived straight into training hoping to qualify for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

The 21-year-old, who finished eighth at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the women’s 100m butterfly and 12th in women’s 100m butterfly semi-finals at this year’s Swimming World Championships, said she was happy to get back in the pool.

“Actually this week has been our first full week in the pool and training is tough but with such a short time before the Commonwealth Games, it’s actually exciting,” she said.

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“I had four weeks off and I definitely needed it after the World Championships and I spent a little bit of time in Europe and got back into things.

“It’s been a nice break but I’ve been itching to get back in the pool.”

The physiotherapy student, who was one of several athletes present at today’s Commonwealth Games Team Appeal launch at the WA Institute of Sport, said she would be training the house down to qualify for the Australian team and hoped fellow Australians would get behind them.

“The first step is to qualify and that will be on the Gold Coast where the games will be so that will give us a good atmosphere and it’s a little bit exciting to be racing in the pool we could potentially be racing in the games in two months time – that’s step number one – to get on the team,” she said.

“Australians love to back Australian sport and the Commonwealth Games is almost the pinnacle of sports that don’t actually receive a lot of money like football and cricket so to be able to send athletes to the Commonwealth Games which is Australians competing in Australia the Appeal really helps.”

The State Government kicked off the Appeal with Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray presenting the athletes with $60,000.

He said he hoped West Australians could come together to support and celebrate local athletes.

“Elite athletes all start out at local clubs, so having a strong sporting system and quality infrastructure helps these athletes progress along their pathway,” he said.

“We’re looking to build on the achievements of WA athletes at the 2014 Games where they won 25 medals – 15 gold, seven silver and three bronze.

“Australia is traditionally a strong medal winner at the Games and public interest will intensify as they approach with the Queens Baton Relay in February passing through WA.”

The 2018 Commonwealth Games will be held on the Gold Coast from April 4-15, with 18 sports represented including triathlon, swimming, table tennis, netball, hockey, Rugby Sevens and weightlifting.

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