Petria Thomas: Swimming Against the Tide

by Andy Shea

Petria won the hearts of millions around the world with her triple-gold-medal-winning triumph at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. Having overcome the pain and anguish of three shoulder reconstructions and two ankle reconstructions over the length of her glittering 12-year career, Petria is admired and respected for her grit, determination and steely will to win. But there's more to the Queen of Butterfly than meets the eye, and here for the first time is the full and authorized story of Australian swimming's golden girl: ... Read More

Petria won the hearts of millions around the world with her triple-gold-medal-winning triumph at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. Having overcome the pain and anguish of three shoulder reconstructions and two ankle reconstructions over the length of her glittering 12-year career, Petria is admired and respected for her grit, determination and steely will to win. But there's more to the Queen of Butterfly than meets the eye, and here for the first time is the full and authorized story of Australian swimming's golden girl: her battle against severe depression, her cries for help that almost ended her life, and the extraordinary determination that overcame these physical and emotional pressures to reach the pinnacle of her career. Read Less