Michelle Engelsman is the latest Olympian to join the growing ranks of Melbourne Vicentre coach Ian Pope.

Engelsman, who describes herself as somewhat of a “swimming gypsie”, enjoyed her best year in 2004, making the Australian Olympic team for Athens, before finishing sixth behind Inge de Bruijn in the 50m freestyle final, which also saw Australian Libby Lenton finish with the bronze medal.

She split her Olympic preparation between the Florida based Race Club in the US with Olympic gold medallist Gary Hall Jnr. and under Brian Sutton and Steve Alderman at the Sydney University.

“I have to thank everyone at Sydney University for the support they have given me in recent years and I will continue to stay in contact and swim at Sydney Uni. Whenever I’m in Sydney,” Engelsman said.

“But I figured it was time for a change and I’m going to head to Melbourne to train alongside my former Sydney University team mate and fellow Olympian Brett Hawke.

“I know Brett is enjoying training with Ian and the Melbourne lifestyle and they are happy to have me so I’ll spend the preparation for next year’s World Championship Trials with Vicentre.”

After returning from her successful Athens campaign, Englesman, went on to qualify for the Telstra Dolphins Australian Team for the FINA World Championships in Indianapolis but withdrew to attend her best friend’s wedding in the US.

“It was one of those major things in my life that I could not miss,” Engelsman said.

“I promised her I would be there and I’m glad I went – it was a blast.”

Engelsman now joins not only fellow Olympic sixth placegetter in the 50m, Brett Hawke, in Melbourne but also Olympic gold medallists Michael Klim and Giaan Rooney and triple Sydney Olympic medallist Matt Welsh.

Leading up to Athens, Italian ace Massi Rosolino, was an intricate part of the Pope squad, but the 2000 Olympic champion and 2001 World Champion has now returned to Italy to consider his future in the sport.

Engelsman will line up against fellow Athens Olympians Jodie Henry, Alice Mills and Libby Lenton for the Qantas Skins on November 21 and the Telstra FINA World Cup on November 26,27 and 28.

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