InsaneJournal

Sydney Morning Herald, January 26th.
Cynthia Thompson


Triple Olympic champion Aubrey Laine hasn't been seen on the swim circuit since her exodus from the country three years ago, but Los Angeles coach Shaylee Burgess ascertains that her training has kept up, and she will be returning to Sydney to compete in the Telstra Championships and Bejing trials this March.

"Miss Laine's work in LA is on hold for the time being, and she's always said she'd return home to compete for the Olympic trials," Burgess was quoted in a press release published yesterday by Laine's publicist.

But if she'll even qualify for the team remains to be seen. Head Coach Alan Thompson fears that her lack of competition may have hindered Laine's progress.

"I really would like her in our team at her best, but that event is so competitive that if she's not at her best, she's probably not going to be there as an individual or as a relay swimmer," Thompson said. "She hasn't competed with us for three years, and the swimmers coming up behind her are incredibly competetive and able."

Her absence from Australia hasn't only seemed to stall her swimming career, but seems to have tarnished the golden reputation she brought home from Athens, along with her three gold medals.

For months, it seemed Laine could do no wrong. But when she continually failed to reach the times she'd recorded in Athens, public support slowly began to fade. Leaving the sport and country a few months later only seemed to cause her public image more deterioration.

Claiming the press and public driving her out, Laine settled in Los Angeles, pursuing work in modelling and acting. She's guest spotted on "E.R." and had a few bit parts in film, but has mostly made her splash at nightclubs and parties around Los Angeles.

It has some wondering where her priorties lie, and if she will even show up for the trials.

"What's difficult for mere mortals is sometimes easier for champions, but she's made it difficult for herself. It's going to be difficult for her to qualify, but not totally unrealistic," Thompson said, refusing to rule out an athete of Laine's calibre.

There will be at least five contenders for the two places in the 100m freestyle at the Olympic trials in Sydney, running from 22 - 29 March.