Stephanie Rice

Stephanie Rice won her first YoungStar award in May 2003 and four years later received our highest award - the Quest Community Newspapers Overall Sport winner. Thirteen months on she became Australia's golden girl winning three Olympic gold medals, all in world record times, at Beijing. Here Stephanie writes exclusively for YoungStar on the reality behind her remarkable success.

“I don't believe there is a secret to success in any walk of life. Most of it comes down to hard work and for me that has been weeks, months and years of training.It can be tough, but I believe if you don't push yourself or take on challenges you may never realise your potential.

My training is exhausting and demanding. I train six days a week, including sessions in the pool, running and gym work. In a typical week I exercise more than 30 hours and swim more than 60 kilometres.

Even out of the pool I have to make sacrifices to ensure my preparation is just right, which means not being able to see my friends and family as much as I would like, getting enough sleep and always watching what I eat.

 But it is worth it. In Beijing my first thought when I touched the wall was relief and excitement.

Knowing that I had trained so hard and done everything  in my preparation to the best of my ability, it was a great feeling to see it all pay off. I have also been lucky. Very lucky.

Throughout my swimming career I have had a great support team. From my coach Michael Bohl to everyone at St Peter's Western Swimming Club, Swimming Australia, my sponsors, friends and of course my family.

Bohly has been fantastic. I couldn't have done anything without him. I am part of a wonderful squad at St Peter's. We train hard - but we enjoy it, which is so important. My friends are also very understanding and supportive. They know at times I have to put swimming first.

And of course my Mum is a tower of strength and helps me in so many ways. These people have shared in my success, but know that without them I would not have reached the top of my profession.

My thanks go to every one of them.’’

Stephanie Rice won bi-monthly YoungStar awards in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. She was the City North News Sport winner for 2005-2006 and took the overall Quest Community Newspapers Sport winner in 2006-2007.