Aufgang retires after 20 years at the top
After a glowing swimming career that took her all around Australia, Melbourne’s Rina Aufgang has decided to retire as a competitive Special Olympics athlete.
Among her many achievements spanning two decades, Aufgang won an impressive haul of four gold medals in the 2008 national championships in Tasmania.
She also won golds at Victorian state championships, represented Victoria at the 2013 Centenary Special Olympics event in Canberra, and won a silver medal at the 2018 Special Olympics National Games in Adelaide.
In a wonderful tribute to her career, Aufgang was awarded a trophy from the Special Olympics Committee last month in recognition of 20 years of representing Victoria in swimming.
“I’m 57 now, and I feel that competing is putting too much pressure on my body,” she told The AJN.
“But I’m not sad, because I feel I’ve done enough now in swimming, and I’m so happy that the next generations have the opportunity to achieve, celebrate their abilities, and enjoy competing in this sport as much as I have.”
Grateful for the many people who supported her in her competitive swimming journey, Aufgang wished to express particular thanks to the Special Olympics organisation, its coaches, and “everyone who gave me the opportunity to be involved in all-abilities sport events”.
“I also thank Mark Ingleby – my boss at TIC Group where I worked for 17 years – for being so supportive, and Eva and Ben Slonim for taking me under their wing.
“And of course I thank all my family members for their support and belief in me – and I dedicate this trophy to my parents, Rachel and Eric, who live now at Emmy Monash [Aged Care].
“You know, my mum first got me into the swimming pool, my first coach said I was a natural at swimming, I joined Moorabbin West Special Olympics in 2001, and it went from there.”
Aufgang said what she will treasure most from her swimming career are “all the friendships, and meeting so many other people”.
“Through swimming, I’ve learned to love and believe in myself, and to stand up and open up, and come out of my shell.
“My advice to others is if you put your mind to it, you can do anything in life.”
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