Olympians Guests At Uni Rugby Dinner

Illawarra Mercury

Friday November 5, 2004

AUSTRALIAN Olympians Jana Pittman, Sarah Ryan and Craig Stevens will be guest speakers at the University of Wollongong Rugby Club's sports dinner at the Wollongong City Beach Function Centre tonight.

Champion 400m hurdler Pittman sustained knee damage leading into the Athens Olympic Games this year where she had been a favourite to win the gold medal.

After being told her Olympic campaign may be over because of the injury, Pittman showed tremendous commitment to run in the 400m hurdles, finishing a courageous fifth.

Ryan has been selected in every major international Australian swimming team since making her debut in 1993. She completed her illustrious sporting career with a gold medal as a member of Australia's 4x100m freestyle relay team.

Stevens came out of a rather cloistered swimming community into the glare of national attention afterrelinquishing his place in the 400m freestyle to Ian Thorpe, who was disqualified in trials after a false start.

The University of Wollongong Rugby Club is hosting the dinner in association with KPMG.