Andrew Lauterstein - 2008 Olympics

2008 Olympics

In the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, he swam in both the 4 x 100m freestyle relay and the 100 m butterfly. He swam the second leg of the final in the 4x100 freestyle relay, winning a bronze medal. In the 100m butterfly, Lauterstein swam a personal best and Australian record in each of the three stages, and qualified for the final with the third fastest qualifying time. He took the bronze medal in the final with a time of 51.12 seconds in a race where US sensation Michael Phelps won his 7th gold medal of the Games. Lauterstein edged out world record holder Ian Crocker for the bronze by just 0.01s. Lauterstein also won a silver medal in 4 x 100m medley relay in which he swam the butterfly leg.

Following the Olympics, Lauterstein left his long-term coach Glenn Baker and moved to the New South Wales Institute of Sport under Grant Stoelwinder. Stoelwinder coaches Libby Lenton and Eamon Sullivan the world record holders in the 50 m and 100 m freestyle for women and men respectively.

In January, Lauterstein returned to action contesting the Victorian & NSW State championships. He showed tremendous form starting off the year going sub-52 in his pet event with only 3 weeks preparation.

In March, Lauterstein sent a message at the 2009 Telstra Australian Swimming Championships (World Championships Trails). He clocked 48.64 in the 100 m freestyle, missing the individual spot behind Matt Targett by 0.01s. In the 50 m butterfly, he got revenge against Targett, setting a new Australian record of 23.30, ironically, besting Targett by 0.01s. His final task was the 100 m butterfly, after a misleading heats, and semi finals, Lauterstein clocked 51.13, just missing his Australian record by 0.01s.