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Swimming: Jones eyes 2012

Australian aiming for fourth Olympic Games

By Rachel Griffiths Last updated: 25th November 2009

Jones: Targeting London 2012

It would be a pretty big thing if I chose to continue and physically there is no reason why I can't go on

Olympic gold medallist Leisel Jones is targeting London 2012 in a bid to become Australia's first swimmer to compete at four Games.

The 24-year-old, who has struck Olympic gold three times, broke the world short course records in the 100m and 200m breaststroke at a World Cup meeting in Berlin in November.

Jones, who also set an Olympic record in the 100m breaststroke at the 2008 Beijing Games, is now considering competing at the Games again in three years time.

"No one on the Australian team has ever done four Olympics," said Jones.

"It would be a pretty big thing if I chose to continue and physically there is no reason why I can't go on.

Good shape

"Physically I am in very good shape and I am actually enjoying the training, I like that side of things.

"There is no reason why I couldn't as I will only be 27 (in 2012) in London and that isn't very old."

Jones, who secured two golds and a silver in Beijing, was just 14 years old when she first secured her place on the Australian team and went on to win silver at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The breaststroker would be a welcome boost to the Australia team which saw Grant Hackett retire after Beijing and has Libby Trickett still uncertain over her future in the sport.