By Paul Osborne

Australia's Jacqueline Freney won the NSW Young Australian of the Year award last nightNovember 19 - Australian swimmer Jacqueline Freney was announced New South Wales' Young Australian of the Year for 2014 in a special awards ceremony at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney last night.


The 21-year-old, born with Cerebral Palsy, became Australia's most successful Paralympian at a single Games last year when she won eight gold medals at London 2012, breaking two world records in the process.

The youngster, coached by father Michael, picked up a gold medal in each of the eight events she entered, a feat which went unmatched by any other competitor from any country at the Paralympics and earned her the titles of Australia's Paralympian of the Year and Swimming Australia's Multi Class Swimmer of the Year in 2012.

Swimming Australia's Paralympic Performance Manager, Adam Pine said Freney's achievements are an inspiration to all.

"Jacqui's passion and dedication to the sport have seen her rise to the top of the world and this latest honour is a testament to a number of years of hard work on her behalf," Pine said.

"With this award Jacqui is not only representing her state, but she will be representing Paralympic sport and encouraging the next generation of athletes with disability to get involved and follow their dreams.

"Her accomplishments in and out of the pool are an inspiration to people of all abilities and on behalf of Swimming Australia I would like to congratulate Jacqui and wish her all the best for the years to come."

Freney and her Australian teammates celebrate after winning the 4x100m medley relay at the London Paralympics Freney and her Australian teammates celebrate after winning the 4x100m medley relay at the London Paralympics, Freney's eighth gold medal of the Games ©Getty Images



Freney's career kick started in 2008 when she won bronze medals in the 50 metre, 100m and 400m S8 freestyle events at the Beijing Paralympic Games at just 16-years-old.

At the 2010 International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) Swimming World Championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, she took silver in the 100m and 400m freestyle events.

In 2011, just a week before the Can-Am Swimming Open, Freney was reclassified from the S8 classification to S7, and went on to win gold in the 400m freestyle event, setting a world record twice – once in the heats and again in the finals.

She also picked up two silvers at the Open, in the 50m and 100m freestyle events.

Along with other recipients of New South Wales awards, Freney will join recipients from the other States and Territories as finalists for the national Australian of the Year awards to be announced on January 15, 2014 in Canberra.

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