Swimming Queensland to honour USC sport scientist
Paralympic gold medallist and University of the Sunshine Coast Associate Professor Brendan Burkett is to be inducted into the Swimming Queensland Hall of Fame on Monday 17 December.
Swimming Queensland CEO Kevin Haseman said Associate Professor Burkett would be recognised, along with Commonwealth Games gold medallist Samantha Riley, at the 2007 Queensland Championships at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre.
Mr Haseman said Associate Professor Burkett represented Australia at four Paralympic Games, winning several medals including gold in the 50m freestyle in Atlanta in 1996.
He also competed at three World Swimming Championships and has held several world records.
“Brendan will be the first swimmer with a disability to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” he said. “And he will be among some very good company there.
“Brendan has a reputation for being a very likeable person and a very professional athlete. He is an exceptional person, as indicated by his achievements as a swimmer and by his success in his academic career.”
Associate Professor Burkett, who is the director of USC’s Centre for Healthy Activities, Sport and Exercise, said he was thrilled by the honour and was looking forward to Monday’s induction ceremony.
He said it would be strange to be on the receiving end of an induction, as he usually oversees the process of recognising others for the Sunshine Coast Sports Hall of Fame each year.
— Terry Walsh