Jodie Clare Henry,OAM (born 17 November 1983) is an Australian former competitiveswimmer, Olympic gold medallist at the2004 Summer Olympics and former world-record holder.
At the2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Henry won the women's 100 metre freestyle as well as being a member of the Australian teams that won both the 4×100-metre freestyle relay and the 4×100-metre medley relay. Later that year, she won silver at the Pan Pacific Championships in the 50- and 100-metre freestyle, and helped Australian teams to victory over the Americans in the freestyle and medley relays.[1]
In 2003, Henry won the 100-metre silver medal, and picked up bronze medals in both the 4×100-metre freestyle and 4×100-metre medley relays at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona.
At the2004 Summer Olympics, Henry anchored the Australianwomen's 4×100-metre freestyle relay team that won the gold in world record time. She then competed in the individual100-metre freestyle, breaking the previous world record time of 53.66 seconds (set by team memberLibby Lenton) with a time of 53.52 seconds in the semifinals. She then went on to win the gold medal for the event, the first Australian to do so sinceDawn Fraser 40 years earlier. In her final race atAthens she swam the last leg (freestyle) of the4×100-metre medley relay, again helping the Australian team win gold in world record time, leaving her with three gold medals and three world records.
On 29 November 2004, Henry was named the Australian Swimmer of the Year, becoming just the third woman in 15 years to take the honour, joiningSusie O'Neill andHayley Lewis. Henry also snappedIan Thorpe's five-year streak of receiving the award. She narrowly defeated teammate Petria Thomas to take the honour. Henry was also named Female Sprint Freestyler and her win with Thomas,Giaan Rooney, andLeisel Jones in the 4×100-metre medley relay in Athens was named the Golden Moment of the Year.[2]
Henry won the 100-metre freestyle gold medal at the2005 World Aquatics Championships in Montreal, clocking 54.18 seconds. That win came on top of her leadoff role in Australia's victorious 4×100-metre freestyle team and second relay gold as a heat swimmer in the 4×100-metre medley.
Lenton broke Henry's world record at theCommonwealth Games selection trials, setting a new mark of 53.42 seconds.[citation needed] Henry finished with the silver medal at the2006 Commonwealth Games, finishing behind compatriot Lenton (24.61) in the 50-metre and (53.54) 100-metre freestyle, clocking 53.78 seconds and a personal best in the 50-metre with 24.72 seconds for another silver behind Lenton. Henry swam in the 4×100-metre freestyle relay, helping Australia to the gold medal.
On 25 March, at the2007 World Aquatics Championships in Melbourne, Henry claimed gold again. Combining withShayne Reese, rookieMelanie Schlanger andLibby Lenton, Henry anchored the Australian 4×100-metre freestyle relay team in a world championship record time of 3:35.48 seconds, ahead of the United States in 3:35.68 and theNetherlands in 3:36.81. She also won another gold medal in the 4×100-metre medley relay.
In November 2007, Henry returned to her hometown ofBrisbane to regain form under new coach Drew McGregor and training at Chandler Swim Club.[citation needed]
Australia
