Olympic gold medallist Bronte Campbell has started preparing for life after swimming, diving into two separate ventures, one of which is “very close” to her heart.
The 29-year-old is gearing up for next year’s Paris Olympics but has one eye on post-swimming life, having joined Puggles Swim, a learn to swim program that supports the communication needs of deaf and hard -of-hearing children.
Campbell joined The Morning Show to speak about her new project.
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“They’re incredible, it teaches swim instructors Auslan so they can teach deaf and hard-of-hearing children how to swim,” she said.
“Swimming is obviously so important for safety, and making sure that all children can be included is something that’s very close to my heart. It’s a beautiful program.”
She also explained the meaning behind the name, Puggles Swim.
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Bronte Campbell tried to teach Larry and Kylie some Auslan on The Morning Show. Credit: The Morning Show
“You know, a puggle is actually a baby platypus, and platypuses are deaf under water,” Campbell noted.
“It’s a beautiful program and you can enrol, any swim school can enrol and sign up to learn how to teach deaf and hard of hearing children to swim.”
The two-time Olympic gold medallist has seen first hand the importance of inclusion, having grown up with a brother who was born with a motor disability.
“I grew up with my younger brother, Hamish, who has cerebral palsy, and I saw how important it is to have an inclusive environment, and how important it is for a child that may be left behind, but also how important it is for the community as a whole,” she said.
“You get to experience new things, you get to experience diversity and those children become part of the environment as opposed to having to be separate with special needs and on the side.
“I think the more we can bring diversity into the community, (the better), and this program definitely helps do that.”
Bronte and her sister Cate Campbell have been stars of the pool for years now. Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Campbell also revealed she has started her own “side hustle” business, selling swim gear which comes alongside videos explaining how to use it.
“I’m really exploring my passion of learning to swim and teaching other people and sharing the knowledge, because I feel like I’ve been in this sport for my whole entire life, and now it’s time that I’m almost done to start sharing some of the things I’ve learned,” she said.
The Paris Olympics are just 337 days away, starting on July 26 next year.
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