Matt Welsh

Matthew ("Matt") Welsh (born November 18, 1976 in Melbourne, Victoria) is an Australian swimmer who is the world champion in the backstroke and butterfly. Matt currently trains under coach Ian Pope at the Melbourne Vicentre Club. He took two golds in 50 metres butterfly and 50 metres backstroke, during one hour, at the World Championships in Shanghai 2006.

Early years

Welsh started swimming in his final years at Scotch College, Melbourne and moved into competitive swimming in 1995 after leaving school at the age of eighteen. His first big break came in 1998 at the world swimming championships in Perth, Australia with a gold in the 4 x 100m medley relay.

Olympic competiton

At the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Welsh broke onto the international scene winning three Olympic medals.

Silver Medal:

100 metre backstroke

4 x 100m medley relay

Bronze Medal:

200 metre backstroke

Swimming history

Welsh has won several world championship titles in both backstroke and butterfly. He has held the Australian record in the 100 metre backstroke since 1998. He has also won more Australian Swimming Titles than any swimmer in history, claiming 45 so far since 1997.

Personal

He is engaged to Bert Newton's daughter, Lauren Newton.