Australia's top performers from the pool in Beijing will compete head-to-head in swimming's answer to the Logie awards, with a field of outstanding nominees including Paralympic hero Matthew Cowdrey, announced in the 2008 Telstra People's Choice Award.
The Telstra People's Choice Award is one of the categories in the Telstra Swimmer of the Year Awards, and gives sports fans from all over the country the opportunity to vote for their favourite heroes from the pool.
The other top internationally ranked Australian swimmers who will be vying with Cowdrey for the 2008 Telstra People's Choice Award include Eamon Sullivan, Ky Hurst, Leisel Jones, Stephanie Rice, Brenton Rickard, Libby Trickett and Grant Hackett who has won the award twice in his career.
Matthew Cowdrey has had a stellar year in the pool, after dominating the medal dais at the recent Paralympic Games, winning an amazing five gold and three silver medals.
Former Olympic swimmer Matt Welsh believes it will be a tough decision to select a winner from such a talented group of swimmers.
"It has been a terrific year in the pool for all of the nominees and with such a star-studded line up vying for this award it is going to be a tough decision for the public to make," Welsh said.
"For the winner, it will be a great way to cap off the year by being named the people's champion and it also gives the Australian public the chance to win, with some terrific prizes on offer for those who vote."
Fans can vote for Cowdrey by sending an SMS to 044 TELSTRA (0448 357 872) with the words Matthew Cowdrey followed by their full name. Alternatively votes can be cast online at http://www.beinvolved.telstra.com Voting closes at midnight on 23 October 2008.
By voting in the 2008 Telstra People's Choice Award, fans have the chance to go into the draw to win a trip for two to the awards night in Sydney on 27 October 2008. There are also Apple iPhones and signed photographs of the Australian Olympic Swim Team up for grabs for people who vote in this year's award. For full terms and conditions, visit http://www.beinvolved.telstra.com.
Telstra has been principal sponsor of Swimming Australia and the Australian swim team for 17 years and supports the development of the sport at both the grassroots and elite levels. Telstra's sponsorship of Swimming Australia also supports the Swimmers with a Disability program and since 2005 Telstra has supported local swimming clubs through the Telstra Assistance Fund. Since 2005, swimming clubs across Australia have benefited from $900, 000 in funding through the Telstra Assistance Fund.
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