GOLDEN GIRL TRICKETT RETURNS TO THE POOL

September 1: Olympic champion Libby Trickett has today announced a come back to the pool after less than 12 months in retirement with her long term plans to swim at the 2012 London Olympics.

Trickett announced her retirement after last years World championships in Rome amidst the swim suit controversy which had engulfed the sport.

She has spent the last six months working in television for Network Ten and ONE HD as a swimming commentator and reporter and has only just returned from the Pan Pacific championships in Irvine, California.

She will next month be part of the Ten team covering the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Trickett, who won Olympic gold in the 100m butterfly in Beijing in 2008 will be welcomed back with open arms by National Head Coach Leigh Nugent.

Trickett's management today informed the swimmer's sponsors of her intention to return to the pool after discussions with husband Luke she will again link up with NSWIS coach Grant Stoelwinder at the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre.

Trickett said she has already been back in the water and is feeling good about herself.

Her first major international meet could well be next years FINA World Championships in Shanghai.

Swimming has certainly enjoyed a season of normality following the widely accepted return to textile suits.

Trickett had been caught in the middle of the swim suit controversy after deciding it was in her best interests and the interests of her team to wear a suit which conflicted with her own sponsorship commitments to Speedo.

She will return to the sport that now has a level playing field.

By Ian Hanson