Steve Waugh to mentor Aussie swimming team for Beijing

SYDNEY: Former Australia cricket captain Steve Waugh will mentor the world famous Australian swimming team at next year's Beijing Olympics.

Australia's head coach for swimming Alan Thompson has requested Waugh to work as the team's athlete liaison for the Games, the Herald Sun said.

Waugh has already been announced as one of the three official athlete mentors for the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). The other two are former Australian Rugby national team captain John Eales and Atlanta Olympics rowing gold medallist Kate Allen.

Thompson wants to make use of Waugh's "famous grit and determination at next ear's Beijing Olympics".

Earlier, former champion butterfly swimmer Susie O'Neill had been marked to work with the swimming team, but has withdrawn for family reasons. Then the former rugby captain spent time with the swimmers.

"The AOC asked us who we would like to have and we have requested Steve Waugh," Thompson said. "I have spoken to him on the phone a couple of times and he has agreed to do that for us."

Thompson said he admired Waugh's tenacity as a player and captain and believed he would deliver a positive message to the swimming team at the Games.

"Steve's all-round abilities, his demeanour and what he stood for as captain of the cricket team and what he achieved are things that are good messages for our kids," he said.