Petria Thomas
Three time Olympian, Swimming

Fuji Xerox Australia is very proud to sponsor our own living national treasure, Petria Thomas.

We have sponsored Petria since October 2003, cheered for her during the 2004 Olympic Games and now, as she relaxes and enjoys her retirement from full time swimming, we have extended our sponsorship through to the end of 2006.

From the Northern NSW country town of Lismore, to the AIS in Canberra and Olympic Games in Atlanta, Sydney and Athens, Petria has earned herself a reputation of note in Australian and international swimming circles.

First making the national team back in 1993, Petria’s amazing career came to a spectacular close when she proudly carried the Australian Flag at the Closing Ceremony of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Petria’s Olympic journey began in Atlanta in 1996 where she won a Silver Medal in the 200m Butterfly.

Fast forward to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and Petria won a further three medals; a bronze in the 200m butterfly and silver in both the women’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay and the 4 x 100m medley relay.

In top form, Petria easily won the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly events at the 2001 and 2002 Australian Championships. At the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, Petria competed in eight events and won a remarkable five gold, one silver and one bronze medal.

On winning the 100m butterfly, Petria became the first female swimmer to win the same event at three consecutive Commonwealth Games.

No other swimmer in the world has ever returned to top form following a shoulder reconstruction. By the time the 2004 Athens Olympic Games came around, Petria had endured three shoulder reconstructions as well as an ankle reconstruction throughout her career!

Petria’s first competition following her third shoulder reconstruction was the 2004 Olympic Swimming Trials. She achieved personal best times in her events – a very nice lead in to the Athens Games!

Athens, August 2004. The culmination of years of hard work and training. Years of determination and overcoming obstacles. Years of focus that were finally rewarded.

On the first night of competition Petria won her first Olympic Gold Medal – in the world record breaking 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay. Her first individual Gold followed shortly after with a win in the 100m Butterfly event. Silver followed in the 200m Butterfly event and her third gold of the meet on the final night of competition – in the world record breaking 4 x 100m Medley Relay!!

A medal haul that brought her total Olympic medal tally to eight……three gold, four silver and one bronze. This tally equals the feats of Australia’s other swimming legends - Dawn Fraser and Susie O’Neill.

Petria - a true champion who inspires other swimmers and athletes with her determination and focus. Petria – a true champion who has captured the hearts and imaginations of the Australian public with her focus and the relentless pursuit of her goals.