Swm: Fraser has no regrets

AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-2008
Swm: Fraser has no regrets

By Nicky Park

SYDNEY, Aug 13 AAP - Australian swimming legend Dawn Fraser doesn't regret calling
Leisel Jones a "spoilt brat" and thinks the harsh words spurred the 22-year-old on to
win gold in Beijing.

Jones sulked and stumbled through her previous Games in Athens after failing to win
gold, fuelling Fraser's comments.

But today, four years later, Fraser said she stands by what she said about the recent
gold medallist.

"I don't (regret saying it) because I think it made Leisel sit down and have a look
at herself," Fraser told the Nine Network.

"She was a spoilt brat then and I don't make any excuses for calling her that, mainly
because of what she did on the blocks when she turned around and she spat water at Brooke
Hanson's feet.

"That's unacceptable to anyone to do that."

But Fraser said that she no longer sees signs of the teen with the "swollen head".

"I would retract that now after her swim the other day because I think Leisel has shown
herself to be a gracious, mature champion," she said.

"I'll be the first one to say that but I had to say that because that's what I felt
(at the time).

"She had a journey to do and she's done her journey."

"At 14 years of age when I saw her in Sydney walking on the deck with her then coach
... and she said `I'm going to win a gold medal here' and I remember (her coach) putting
his arm around her and saying `I don't think you're mature enough yet but if you get it
that's fine but let's swim to enjoy it'.

"The thing is don't go and try to chase records.

"If you're good enough to win that's when you're going to really enjoy it.

"But don't think in the back of your mind that you are an outstanding swimmer and you
are the best swimmer in the world."

Fraser said she thinks Jones was "a little bit disappointed" with her winning swim
in the 100 metre breaststroke final because she fell just short of the world record.

"I would congratulate her on the way that she's looked at herself over the last eight
years and say you really have matured into a fantastic swimmer," Fraser said.

She also said she thinks that US swimming superstar Michael Phelps is best swimmer
she has ever seen.

"I don't think I've ever seen a greater swimmer. He's so strong in the water."

But, in typical Dawn style, she snuck in a frank comment about the champion, on track
to snatch a record eight gold medals in the pool.

"Unfortunately he's showing it too much on the deck, I wish he'd just come back a little
bit," she said.

AAP nap/mo

KEYWORD: OLY08 SWM JONES FRASER

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