- Elka Graham
- Sport: Swimming
- Event: 100, 200m Free
- Height: 187cm
 Elka was aged four when she first started swimming. 'When I went down to watch my brother and sister swim, I said 'I want to swim as well', but the coach said I was too young. So I got even by jumping in the next lane and swam 14 laps. He [the coach] then said 'get her in here'.'
Fifteen years later, Elka made her international debut in the 2000 FINA World Short Course Championships where she finished 4th in the 4x100m medley relay. Elka also made her Olympic debut at the Sydney 2000 Games where she finished 6th in the 4x100m freestyle relay. She is the current Australian champion in the 200m and 400m Freestyle. Elka came to Sydney University in 2002, where she began her education with Head Swimming Coach and former Head Coach of the Australian men's team, Brian Sutton. Under his guidance, Elka trains six days a week. Each session consists of a 7am-9am swim, a 90 minute weight session, another swim session from 3pm-5pm and she often fits in a yoga, boxing, running or surfing session as well. In 2003, Elka was dropped from the Australian team for the World Championships because of a potentially life-threatening heart condition. She had collapsed after a training session and was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat and low blood pressure. Doctors told her she may never swim again (Reuters 04/07/03). She then found alternative medical opinions that said Australian Swimming should reinstate her. Despite the disruption to her Olympic preparation, Elka qualified for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games but not in the 200m freestyle. It wasn't until she arrived in Athens as a member of the 4x200m relay team, that she was given a second chance at her favourite event, when Petria Thomas sacrificed her position to the younger Elka. It was too little too late though, her run ending at the semi-finals. Her best result was in the 4x200m relay where she finished 4th. Elka enjoys surfing, yoga and is a state surf life saving and open water surf champion. She also speaks German, Japanese and Russian. With such an energetic lifestyle and bubbly personality, some might wonder how she stays focused on the job at hand. Elka had this to say to the Good Weekend in June 2004 "It's the journey, not the destination" and "I don't train to get beaten." If there's one thing Elka wants to achieve from her swimming career, it's to leave the sport knowing I have given 100 per cent in swimming, fulfilled my goals of times, lessons learnt, the Olympics and major meets. It has made me realise just how much it has meant to me and my life, the friends I have made, the knowledge I have gained and the better person I have become because of it and most importantly the challenge - you always need the challenge." (Swimmer Magazine May/June 2000) |