This Sporting Wife

Olympic swimmer and self-confessed sports nut Daniel Kowalski (1996 Atlanta & Sydney 2000 Games) talks to Shannon and Fiona about his time competing with and against names like Kieran Perkins, Grant Hackett, Michael Klim and Ian Thorpe. His medals in the 200m, 400m and 1500m freestyle events at Atlanta made him the first man to do so in 92 years, but he says it was hard to celebrate at the time and reflects on the ‘circus’ at that time around Perkins trying to qualify for the 1500 final. The general manager of the Australian Swimmers’ Association believes more could be done to help athletes transition into retirement and gives an honest account of his own battles with depression and an eating disorder during his life. Daniel talks about the work he’s been doing in recent years to raise awareness around homophobia. Plus, he explains what key skills he was missing to pursue an Ironman career.