Bond University and Aussie swim sensation, Jordy Harrison will realise a lifetime dream when he takes to the pool with Olympic champions Grant Hackett and Michael Phelps next week at Arizona State University.
Harrison jets off to the US with teammates Hackett and Matthew Stanley - who all train under internationally recognised Master Coach Dennis Cottrell at Miami - this weekend for two weeks’ intensive training ahead of the 2015 Winter Nationals in Washington in December.
Triple Olympic gold medallist and Bond alumnus, Hackett is a long-time friend of Phelps and it was he who invited Harrison and Stanley to join them in Arizona.
The chance to train alongside these two swimming legends was an opportunity Harrison just couldn’t pass up.
“As a young swimmer coming through the ranks, Grant - the 1500 metre world record holder - and Michael - the most decorated Olympian of all time - were my idols,” Harrison said.
“To say I was excited when Grant invited me to go with him is an understatement.
“I’ve seen Michael Phelps on the blocks, but never met him, so to be given the chance to train with him and Grant is really the dream of a lifetime.”
Harrison, who is a full scholarship student and member of the Bond Elite Sports Program (BESP) is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Business at Bond.
“Juggling study and swimming is always a challenge, but the flexibility given to me as an elite athlete here at Bond makes it a lot easier to succeed, in and out of the pool,” he said.
Harrison was a finalist in the 800m and 1500m freestyle events at the World University Games in South Korea in July of this year, and prior to that won a silver medal in the 1500m event at the Australian Championships in Sydney. He has represented Australia four times in his swimming career to date, and will be heading to the state championships in mid-December, straight after returning from the US.
With the 2016 Rio Olympic trials next April firmly in his sights, let’s hope Harrison’s time in the pool with these world champion swimmers can give him the competitive edge he is looking for.
Stay tuned for more updates on Jordy’s trip to the US on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.