SANDY Freeman of Bligh Park broke two world records at the Special Olympics World Games in swimming.
Freeman broke the world record for 200-metre backstroke and as part of the 4x100 metre relay, where she was in a boys’ team.
Her 200-metre backstroke time was three minutes, seven seconds and 56 milliseconds, while the 4x100 relay was four minutes 32 seconds and 64 milliseconds.
Freeman picked up gold medals for both those events, and also picked up a bronze medal in the 200 metre freestyle and was fifth in the 200-metre individual medley.
The games were hosted in Los Angeles from July 25 to August 2, and Freeman and her family got back to Australia two weeks ago.
Freeman said she loved competing in Los Angeles. ‘‘My favourite part of being over there was making new friends, I made heaps of new friends when I was over there,’’ she said.
‘‘I stayed at a university over there and lived with the Australian team.’’
Freeman was awarded some of her medals by Michael Phelps, the US swimmer who has won more gold medals than anyone else ever in swimming.
‘‘I was a bit nervous when I received the medal from Michael Phelps,’’ she said.
Freeman said she not was content with simply swimming in the pool, and was planning to do longer distance swimming in the future.
‘‘I am aiming for the open water. I have a friend who does open water swimming and I have been thinking of doing 800 and 1500 metres in the ocean,’’ she said.
Freeman said Australian long-distance swimmer Susie Maroney wanted to catch up with her and give her some tips to become a good open-water swimmer.
Now back in Australia, Freeman volunteers at the Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter, and studies animal care at TAFE.
‘‘When I complete TAFE I’ll get a job working with animals,’’ she said.
‘‘Some of the dogs I look after are really friendly and others are a bit scared and need a hug.’’
