Leisel Jones

Australian swimming great Leisel Jones was born in Katherine, Northern Territory, on 30 August 1985. She was a natural in the pool from an early age, making her Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games when she was just 15. Over the next 12 years, she became one of the most decorated breaststroke swimmers in history. Her Olympic career spanned four Games from 2000 to 2012, a first for an Australian swimmer. Jones won a total of nine Olympic medals, including gold in the 100-metre breaststroke at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and gold in the women's 4×100-metre medley relay at the 2004 Athens Games. Her final Olympic appearance came in London in 2012, where she earned a silver in the medley relay. She retired from competition in 2012. Jones was known for her classic breaststroke technique, with a slow, deep stroke cycle and notably slow starts. That style set her apart and helped her earn praise alongside South African champion Penny Heyns as one of the greatest breaststroke swimmers ever. She received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her achievements. Jones stands 5'10" with a natural build, weighing 150 lbs. She is blonde and of Caucasian ethnicity. In her post-swimming life, she has maintained a presence on Instagram, where she shares glimpses of her life with 43k followers. Though her competitive days are behind her, her legacy as an Australian sporting icon remains strong.