Adelaide student makes final in Athens

University of Adelaide student Amber Halliday with her World Championship rowing medals
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Thursday, 19 August 2004

University of Adelaide student and Australian rower Amber Halliday has made the final of the women's lightweight double sculls at Athens.

The 24-year-old Adelaide University Boat Club member and her partner, Sally Newmarch, will now row in the final at 3pm on Sunday afternoon (Adelaide time) following their semi-final success earlier this afternoon (Thursday).

"Amber has made a phenomenal effort to even reach the final," says the Executive Officer of the University of Adelaide Sports Association, Ms Gloria Chester.

"I'm delighted for Amber, because I know how hard she has worked to get where she is," Ms Chester says.

"About three months before the Games, Amber got knocked off her bike by a car while training and that took a real toll on her, both physically and mentally.

"The fact that she has made the final after such a serious accident shows what sort of person she is, and we know she'll be giving it absolutely everything in the final."

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha says the entire University community will be behind Amber, and partner Sally, on Sunday.

"Amber is a world-class sportswoman and we applaud her achievement in making the final," Professor McWha says.

"Amber is a fine example of the kind of student the University of Adelaide attracts - someone who is committed to excellence in their chosen field, and combines study with a range of interests, such as sport. We wish her all the best for Sunday."

Amber already has World Championship and World Cup titles to her name, and has combined a rigorous training schedule with part-time study at the University of Adelaide. She already has a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) from Adelaide and is currently partway through her Media degree.

The Adelaide University Boat Club is also holding a function on Sunday to watch the race live on a big screen and to cheer Amber on.

Find out more about Amber and her achievements at: www.auslightychicks.org

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