Commonwealth Games: The "Original G" - Geoff Huegill is in the semi finals in the 50-fly!

Geoff Huegill is our sport's Rocky and today he qualified for the semi-finals in the 50-fly. He is how his story unfolded:

On November 16th, 2007 - I wrote these words about Jeff Huegill:

This article from News.com.au is about "... World butterfly champion, Geoff Huegill, who has put on 30kg in 12 months and is "happy" to have six beers at night with pizza since retiring..."

30-kilos of weight is 66 pounds and that translates to 5-and-a-half-pounds per month in weight gain.

[Link]

The Australian press likes to exaggerate, use hyperbole, and ultimately be down right mean. So to be fair, let's start off with the good stuff about Geoff Huegill.

Geoff is a charitable man who donates his time and energy to encourage kids to swim. He was a world class butterfly champion who won both a bronze medal at the Sydney Olympic games in the 100 meter butterfly and a silver medal in the 4x100 medley relay. At the 2001 FINA World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. There he scored double golds and a bronze in both butterfly and medley events. In other words he has represented his town and country quite well but now he is being held up for ridicule and laughter regarding his weight gain.

This guy needs help, not ridicule.

A year later I was very happy to write this:

One year ago I did a post on Australian butterfly champion, Geoff Huegill, who was ridiculed in the swim press for gaining weight post his 2004 retirement. The Australian press posted a before/after photo of him seen here, and overall treated him severely.

Now he is back in the pool and he looks 5-years younger. From SMH.Com: "... Huegill won a 2000 Olympic bronze medal in the 100m butterfly and retired after a disappointing showing at the 2004 Games. However, he said his motivation was back and he will train alongside stars Eamon Sullivan, Libby Trickett and Andrew Lauterstein at the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre in inner Sydney.

Then in February 2009: "From obeseness to sleekness;"

I love comebacks, I hope he spanks both Phelps and Cavic at World Championships in Rome! From the Courier Mail:

The former Olympian, who has stripped 30kg from his giant frame, will on Saturday endeavour to once again make a splash in Australian swimming.

The 29-year-old has embraced his new healthy lifestyle with aplomb since announcing a comeback to competitive swimming on November 12.

[Link]

Then in 2010 during Commonwealth trials: "From "hero to zero to hero"

People need to believe and what better belief is there than believing you can do something impossible and then actually doing it!

From the Daily Telegraph:

"Without a doubt it's better than making my first ever team," Huegill said. "The emotions I feel today are definitely on par to when I stood up on the blocks here at the Sydney Olympics. It's just been a dream come true." --Geoff Huegill

[Link]

More quotes from the swimmer are included in the article and each and every one describes what it is like to go from "hero-to-zero-to-hero!"