MELLOULI'S NEW FOUND FAME AFTER BEIJING BLINDER
On the eve of the FINA/ARENA World Cup in Sydney, former Australian swim star Brooke Hanson reports on Oussama Mellouli's new found fame.....
SYDNEY, October 24: OLYMPIC 1500m freestyle champion Oussama Mellouli will be the star international attraction when racing begins at the Sydney FINA/ARENA World Cup starting at 10am tomorrow morning at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
At today's press conference Mellouli spoke about his new found fame after winning Tunisia's first Olympic swimming gold medal.
"Meeting the president and being awarded the highest merit award was a real honour, that meant more than any amount of money," said Tunisia's latest hero, when asked after his financial gains.
Since winning in Beijing, Mellouli is constantly recognised in his home country. He gets asked for autographs, photos and people just want to touch him.
"People drive two hours to my house just so their children can meet me; they want to hug me, see my medal and want their kids to grow up to be like me - it's amazing," said Mellouli.
To make his new fame even more unique both of his parents have benefited from their son winning Olympic gold.
They have both been promoted in their jobs.
"Dad's position in the defence force has improved a ranking, mum was a school teacher now she's the principal," he said.
The Olympic Games has also given him a whole new confidence in the pool.
SIX EVENTS IN SYDNEY
Mellouli has won eight gold medals in the first two legs of the FINA/ARENA World Cup meets in Belo Horizonte (Brazil) and Durban (South Africa).
He will race in six events at the Sydney leg of the World Cup the third of seven in the series - the 200, 400 and 1500 metres freestyle and the 100, 200 and 400m individual medleys.
"I'm racing everything I have entered and I'm looking at swimming faster times in the 200m and 400m freestyle and taking on the Aussies in my sprint events," Mellouli said.
"I know I have the target on my back (in the 1500m), my competitors want to beat me and I'm happy to be that target but I'm definitely a lot more confident."
Mellouli has already won $US13,500 in prize money at the first two World Cups and has his eyes on the overall $US100,000 bonus at the end of the series.
To do this he needs to not just win his events but race fast times to give him higher points.
If Mellouli does fall short of the major prize cheque all will not be lost as the Tunisian government awarded his gold medal in Beijing with a monetary payment of more that $100,000.
SPRENGER THE SERIES LEADER
This weekend's two-day meet to be presented by Telstra will also feature the in form Olympic relay silver medallist Christian Sprenger.
Sprenger is looking to continue his World Cup success after collecting four gold medals at the first two legs of the series.
He is currently the Series leader in the race for the US $100,000 overall prize along with fellow Australian Marieke Guehrer who is leading the women's tally.
Sprenger said he enjoys racing the two-day program.
"It's easy to back up, it's heaps of fun, even if I don't win the big prize the event prize money will help me buy a new car and I'm happy with that," Sprenger said.
After a six-week break Bronte Barratt said that being an Olympic gold medallist hasn't changed her.
"I'm the same person with the same friends and family. I enjoyed a holiday in Thailand and let my hair down now I'm back in routine and motivated again," said the Olympic gold medallist in Australia's 4x200m freestyle relay.
Barratt is using the World Cup to judge where she is at and after just a four-week preparation she is hoping for a few podium finishes, saying, "the prize money is definitely an incentive."
Other Australian Olympians that are back racing this weekend include: Cate Campbell, Ashley Delaney, Alice Mills, Brenton Rickard, Felicity Galvez, Nick Ffrost and Pat Murphy.