Glen Housman

Glen Clifford Housman (born September 9, 1971 in Rockhampton, Queensland) was an Australian long-distance freestyle swimmer of the 1980s and 1990s, who won the silver medal in the 1500 m freestyle, swimming at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. His career was overshadowed by fellow Australian Kieren Perkins, and was also marred by illness.

Housman entered the international stage after winning the 400 m ,800 m and 1500 m freestyle events at the 1989 Australian championships, gaining selection for the Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo, Japan, where he claimed gold in the 1500 m event. He continued to improve, breaking the 1500 m world record in Adelaide at the 1990 Australian championships to qualify for the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland. However, this record was disallowed as the electronic timing equipment failed as he touched the finishing wall, even though he was clearly ahead of the world record as he touched. This incident caused considerable embarrassment to Adelaide as they were later unsuccessful in their bid for the 1998 Commonwealth Games, losing to Kuala Lumpur. Housman proceeded to win a gold and silver in the 1500 m and 400 m events respectively in Auckland.

In 1991, Housman was struck down by illness, and was forced to sit on the sidelines as Perkins claimed the 1500 m world record. He returned at the Barcelona Summer Olympics, where despite swimming a fine race, he was completely overshadowed as Perkins swept all before him. Housman was once again absent in 1993 due to illness, returning to the pool for the 1994 Commonwealth Games only to finish 3rd in the 1500 m, trailing Perkins and Daniel Kowalski. He also won gold in the 4x200 m freestyle relay.

Housman's final international campaign at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics was a disappointment. He missed out on selection for the 1500 m behind Perkins and Kowalski, and was relegated to the role of a heat swimmer for the 4x200 m freestyle relay team, which later finished fourth.

Awards

* 1990 – Australian Swimmer of the Year

References

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