THERE may be bigger halls of fame out there, but for Olympic swimming legend Alicia Coutts, being one of the inaugural Redlands Coast Sporting Hall of Famers has a special ring to it.
Coutts has done it all: in 2012, she tied for the most medals won by an Australian at a single Olympics, dominated two Commonwealth Games, and secured silver across numerous strokes at the 2013 World Aquatics Championships.
Throughout her two-decade spell as a swimmer, Coutts has called Redlands Swim Club home, training under David Urquhart.
Coutts, along with old training partner Ashley Callus, were the first two athletes to receive Hall of Fame status for the Redlands.
“It’s nice to know that my achievements were recognised, and I definitely feel very honoured … it’s a nice reward for all the hard work, you know?” Coutts said.
“I started training (at the club) with David and Chris and Gavin when I was nine years old, and they nurtured me from a young age. It just felt like home to me, always.”
Even though the lack of national-level swimmers at the club meant she missed out on some competitive relay events, the Olympian said it was “important to me to be part of that club and to keep that connection … the club has a special place in my heart, and always will.”
Having retired in 2016 after an emotional last race at the Rio Olympics, Coutts said she did not have too much to do with swimming anymore, but was still excited about the current Australian swimming prospects rising through the ranks.
“Look at the generation that’s out there now: you’ve got Ariarne (Titmus), Kaylee McKeown, you’ve got Cameron McEvoy doing amazing things…”.
