DAWN FRASER BACK IN THE RACE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1st July 2008 Australian swimming legend Dawn Fraser is going for a new world record when she swims competitively this October, for the first time in over 20 years. Competing at the Alice Springs Masters Games, Ms Fraser was motivated to get back in the pool after seeing her Games record broken in 2006. “I’m confident I’ll be able to break the Games record, and possibly even the national record. The real icing on the cake would be to break the world record, but I won’t know if that will be achievable for me until I get a few more weeks into my training,” Ms Fraser said. It’s not all about breaking records, though. Ms Fraser is concerned about recent reports indicating Australia is now the most obese country in the world. With well over half the population being deemed overweight or obese, most commonly amongst the 55+ age group, Ms Fraser wanted to embrace the opportunity to demonstrate it’s not too late. “I’m worried that many older Australians are cutting their lives short by avoiding physical activity. Lack of exercise is a major contributor to so many health problems in older Australians. I hope that by competing again, I’ll be able to inspire some mature-aged Australians to realise that it’s not too late to start exercising, and just give it a go. “A great event that really encourages the ‘give it a go’ attitude is the Alice Springs Masters Games, of which I’ve been Games Patron since 1986. There’s no better place to make my re-entry into the pool than in a friendly environment with thousands of competitors my age,” Ms Fraser said. Dawn Fraser will be competing in the 50m Freestyle at the Alice Springs Masters Games. Her event will be held on Sunday 11 October 2008. Interviews: To arrange an interview with Dawn Fraser please use contact details listed below. Links: Alice Springs Masters Games www.alicespringsmasters.nt.gov.au Health Insite – Obesity www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/obesity#page_content 4102.0 - ABS Australian Social Trends 2007: Overweight & Obesity www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4DE3C28315518DCECA25732C002074E4?opendocument     For further information contact: Aimee Cadan    Media & Marketing ASMG     0400 277 244 Judith Dixon    Games Manager        0428 104 515