Australia basking in swimming glory

ATHENS, Aug 22 (Reuters) -- Australia's swimmers are basking in Olympic glory after their best results in the pool for almost half a century.

Propelled by Ian Thorpe and new sprint sensation Jodie Henry, Australia landed 15 swimming medals in Athens, including seven golds, to finish second on the standings behind the United States.

The only time Australia have finished on top was in 1956 at home in Melbourne when Dawn Fraser and Murray Rose helped them to eight titles, but head coach Leigh Nugent said winning seven in 2004 was a greater achievement.

"To come to Athens and produce what the swimming team has produced is monumental," Nugent said.

"This is our most successful Olympics outside of Australia, but you have to remember in '56 the world was devastated after the second world war, so you would probably think Australia would have to have their best Olympics then."

Thorpe, just as he was in Sydney four years ago, was the star of the team, winning the 200 and 400 metres freestyle finals to become the first Australian to win five Olympic gold medals.

He joined Rose as the only men to successfully defend the 400 then beat American sensation Michael Phelps and the flying Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband to win the "race of the century."

"I had a great Olympic experience. I swam very well here," Thorpe said. "I'll need to reassess things before we start planning for Beijing but I don't think I need to refocus."

Grant Hackett reaffirmed his position as the world's greatest endurance swimmer by winning the 1500 freestyle for the second time after getting the fright of his life.

Unbeaten for seven years, Hackett suddenly found himself in trouble when American Larsen Jensen caught him on the last lap but just when all seemed lost he managed to summon up the energy and win a sprint to the wall.

"Every race was exciting for me but Grant Hackett's 1500 blew me away," Nugent gushed. "It was an amazing performance."

WOMEN SHINE

For the first time since 1972, when Shane Gould won three gold medals, Australia's women outshone their male team mates, winning four golds to three.

Henry won the 100 freestyle to become the first Australian since Fraser to win the women's blue-riband race as well as anchoring Australia to victory in two relays, setting world records in all three events.

Australians love their swimmers and the whole country has already fallen head over heels for Henry whose engaging smile and down-to-earth approach have made her an instant celebrity.

"I don't think I'm prepared, I've never experienced anything like that. It's going to be a new experience for me," she said.

Not everything went perfectly for the Australians.

The men's 4x200 freestyle relay lost by the length of a finger, Libby Lenton failed to reach the 100 freestyle final after setting the world record earlier this year and Brooke Hanson complained publicly after being left out of the medley relay final.

But any disappointment in the team was washed away by the performances of Petria Thomas, who won three golds to finish her stellar career on the highest note.

Thomas had won minor medals at both Atlanta and Sydney but almost retired two years ago when told she needed another shoulder reconstruction.

She decided to swim on in the hope she could win an elusive gold and still cannot believe she got three -- sharing in the two relays with Henry as well as winning the 100 butterfly by herself.

"You work for these sort of moments you're whole life so now I'm going to enjoy this for the rest of more life," she said.

Copyright 2004 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.