Sullivan interviewed at Wagga Wagga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Eamon Wade Sullivan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nickname(s) | "Sullo"," Mondo", "Mad Dog"[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 30 August 1985 Perth, Western Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 78 kg (172 lb)[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Swimming | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strokes | Freestyle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Eamon Wade Sullivan (born 30 August 1985) is an Australian former sprint swimmer, three-time Olympic medallist, and former world record-holder in two events. He was also the winner of the first season of Celebrity MasterChef Australia, and followed up his swimming career with a number of food business ventures.
Swimming career
2004 - 2007
At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Sullivan competed in the 4×100 m freestyle relay. He split 49.19 on the second leg, putting Australia in fifth position at the 300 m mark. Australia ultimately finished sixth.[3]
In March 2006, Sullivan competed at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. He split 48.21 on the second leg of the 4×100 m freestyle relay, with Australia winning the silver medal in an overall time of 3:15.54.[4] On day four, he recorded a time of 49.57 to finish fourth in the 100 m freestyle.[5] On the final day of competition, Sullivan swam the freestyle leg of the 4×100 m medley relay. Australia led for the entire race, with Sullivan anchoring in 48.15. Australia won the gold medal in a games record time of 3:34.37.[6]
In December 2006, Sullivan competed at the Australian Championships in Brisbane to gain selection for the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne. He won the 100 m freestyle with a personal best time of 48.97.[7] He then went 22.00 in the 50 m freestyle, breaking the Australian record of 22.07 set by Brett Hawke in 2004.[8]
At the World Championships in Melbourne, Sullivan's first event was the 4×100 m freestyle relay. He led off in 48.88, with Australia ultimately finishing fifth in a time of 3:15.89.[9] In the 100 m freestyle, Sullivan recorded a personal best of 48.47 to win the bronze medal, finishing 0.04 seconds behind Filippo Magnini and Brent Hayden, who dead-heated for the gold medal.[10] Sullivan later finished fifth in the 50 m freestyle, recording a time of 22.05.[11] His final event was the 4×100 m medley relay, an event where the favoured USA were disqualified during the heats. In the final, Sullivan split 47.89 on the freestyle leg, securing the gold medal for Australia in an overall time of 3:34.93.[12][13]
2008
In February, Sullivan competed at the New South Wales Championships in Sydney. He went 21.56 in the 50 m freestyle, breaking Aleksandr Popov's world record of 21.64 from 2000. On the same night, Sullivan swam in the 4×100 m freestyle relay, recording 48.11 on the first leg to break Michael Klim's Australian record of 48.18 from 2000. Sullivan's world record was later broken by Alain Bernard of France in March.[14]
In March, Sullivan competed at the Australian Championships to gain Olympic qualification. In the 100 m freestyle, he went 47.55 in the semifinals to break the Australian record. His time was 0.05 seconds slower than the world record, which was also held by Bernard. In the final, Sullivan lowered his own national record to 47.52, again missing Bernard's mark.[15] Sullivan later swam in the 50 m freestyle, going 21.41 in the semifinals to reclaim the world record. He broke it again in the final, recording 21.28.[16]
At the Beijing Olympics, Sullivan competed in four events. First was the 4×100 m freestyle relay, where Sullivan swam the first leg. He recorded 47.24 to break Bernard's 100 m freestyle world record and give Australia an early lead. Australia eventually won the bronze medal in 3:09.91, being one of five nations to surpass the former relay world record.[17] In the 100 m freestyle, Sullivan's world record was broken by Bernard in the first semifinal. Sullivan immediately reclaimed the mark, however, by going 47.05 in the second semifinal.[18] In the final, Sullivan won the silver medal in 47.32, losing to Bernard by 0.11 seconds.[19] Two days later, Sullivan came sixth in 50 m freestyle with a time of 21.65.[20] His final event was the 4×100 m medley relay, where he split 46.65 on the freestyle leg to win the silver medal.[21]
2009 - 2014
At the Australian Championships in Sydney, Sullivan won the 100 m freestyle in 48.34 and finished second in the 50 m freestyle in a time of 21.96, qualifying for the 2009 World Championships in both events.[22][23] However, in July, Sullivan withdrew from the competition due to illness.[24]
Sullivan competed at the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine. He finished seventh in the 100 m freestyle with a time of 48.84.[25] He then led off the 4×100 m freestyle relay, splitting 49.19. Australia won the silver medal in 3:14.30.[26] He then competed in the 50 m freestyle, recording 22.50 to finish eleventh.[27]
In October 2010, Sullivan competed at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. He won the gold medal in the 4×100 m freestyle relay, splitting 47.49 on the second leg. Australia recorded 3:13.92 to break the games record.[28] In the 100 m freestyle, Sullivan won the bronze medal in a time of 48.69.[29] In the 50 m freestyle, he finished equal-fifth with Adam Brown, recording a time of 22.51. His final event was the 4×100 m medley relay. He swam the freestyle leg and secured the gold medal for Australia in a games record time of 3:33.15.[30]
At the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, Sullivan swam the anchor leg of the 4×100 m freestyle relay. He dove in with the lead and split 47.72 to hold off France by 0.14 seconds, winning the gold medal in 3:11.00.[31]
At the 2012 Olympics in London, Sullivan competed in the 4×100 m freestyle relay. Australia was favoured to win the gold medal, as they were the reigning world champions in the event, and their lineup included, prior to the London Olympics, the two fastest 100 m freestylers in a textile suit. France won the gold medal in an upset victory and Australia finished fourth.[32][33] After the conclusion of the Olympics, Sullivan, along with the other members of the Australian relay team, were investigated for stilnox use and "toxic" behaviour.[34]
At the Australian Championships in Brisbane, Sullivan won the 50 m freestyle in 21.90, qualifying for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.[35] However, in July, prior to Games' opening ceremony, Sullivan retired from swimming at the age of 28 due to injury.[36]
Television work

In 2009, Sullivan won the first season of Celebrity MasterChef Australia beating Kirk Pengilly and Rachael Finch.[37] In 2011, Sullivan competed in the third season of the Channel Seven television series Australia's Greatest Athlete. He also made a guest appearance in the third season of MasterChef Australia, cooking the Chocolate Délice dish that earned him the title of Celebrity MasterChef in 2009.[38] In 2013, he became a team captain on the Australian version of the panel show A League of Their Own.
Sullivan competed in the fourteenth season of Dancing with the Stars, and was the fourth person eliminated.
Business ventures
Sullivan had dreamt of owning a restaurant since taking home economics in high school.[39] Following his retirement from swimming, Sullivan now manages several restaurants in and around Perth, in Western Australia.[40]
In 2011, Sullivan opened a cafe in Subiaco called Louis Baxters, with Laki Baker, a producer on MasterChef Australia.[39] Sullivan sold Louis Baxters in 2017.[41][42] In March 2013, Sullivan opened Bib & Tucker, a beachside restaurant in North Fremantle.[39] Sullivan co-owns the restaurant with pole vaulter Steve Hooker and field hockey player Jamie Dwyer.[43] Scott Bridger is the executive chef at the restaurant.[44]
In February 2015, Sullivan opened May Street Larder in East Fremantle.[45] In April 2019, Bridger and Sullivan opened a second May Street Larder in Mount Hawthorn. The Mount Hawthorn location closed in January 2020. Bridger and Sullivan split the site and redeveloped it into two new venues: Sammy's, a sandwich bar, and Pogo, a Middle Eastern eatery.[46]
In October 2018, in partnership with Andy Freeman and Bridger, Sullivan opened Goody Two's, a Japanese whiskey bar located at Hibernian Place in the Perth CBD.[47][48]
Personal life
Sullivan attended high school at John XXIII College in the Perth suburb of Mount Claremont.[39]
In April 2016, Sullivan married Perth lawyer Naomi Bass.[49] The couple have two children: a son born in July 2017[40] and a daughter born in August 2019.[50]
See also
- List of Commonwealth Games medallists in swimming (men)
- List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)
- World record progression 50 metres freestyle
- World record progression 100 metres freestyle
References
- ^ "Eamon Sullivan". Official Site of the 2012 Australian Olympic Team. Australian Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
- ^ a b "Eamon Sullivan". sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ Stephen Thomas (15 August 2004). "Flash! South African Men Take a Historic Relay Victory in 400 free- Smash World Record". Swimming World. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Stephen Thomas (16 March 2006). "Commonwealth Games Day One Finals: Lenton Beaten by McClatchey in 200 freestyle, South Africans Edge Aussie Men in Freestyle Relay". Swimming World. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Stephen Thomas (18 March 2006). "Commonwealth Games Day Four Finals: Schipper Downs Lenton Again in the 100 Fly, Simon Burnett Takes Gold in the 100 Freestyle Final". Swimming World. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Stathi Paxinos (22 March 2006). "Relay result puts men on board". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Stathi Paxinos (8 December 2006). "Sullivan has the time of his life". The Age. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Sullivan Sets Aussie Record in 50 Free". Swimming World. 9 December 2006. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 25 March 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Schipper wins butterfly gold". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 29 March 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 31 March 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Aussies cash in on US shock relay disqualification". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 April 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 1 April 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "New South Wales State Open Championships: Eamon Sullivan Sets WR On Final Day". Swimming World. 17 February 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Sullivan narrowly misses 100m WR". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 March 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Australian Sullivan breaks own swimming record". CBC. 28 March 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Records tumble as US claim relay gold". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 11 August 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Sullivan one-ups Bernard to keep WR". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 13 August 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Bernard pips Sullivan for 100m gold". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Cielo Filho wins Brazil's 1st swimming gold". CBC. 15 August 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Phelps claims historic eighth gold in Beijing". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 17 August 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Australian Long Course Championships: Eamon Sullivan Smokes 100 Free". Swimming World. 20 March 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Sullivan stunned in 50m final". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 22 March 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Sullivan out of world championships with virus". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 July 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 20 August 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 21 August 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Australia win 4x100m freestyle gold". Sydney Morning Herald. 5 October 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Sullivan battles body for bronze". The West Australian. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Commonwealth Games: Brent Hayden Sweeps Sprint Frees on Day Six Finals". Swimming World. 9 October 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "FINA World Championships, Swimming: Australia Stuns France, U.S. For Men's 400 Free Relay Triumph; Two New Textile Bests". Swimming World. 24 July 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Magnussen sizzles in 100m free". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 March 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "2012 London Olympics: Four Years After Being on Wrong End of History, French Anchor Way to Men's 400-meter Freestyle Relay Triumph". Swimming World. 29 July 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Peter Munro (13 February 2013). "A naughty bit of swimming ritual". The Age. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Eamon Sullivan caps pool comeback with Glasgow Commonwealth Games berth". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Braden Keith (14 July 2014). "Eamon Sullivan Concedes to Injury Struggles, Announces Retirement". SwimSwam. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Swimmer Eamon Sullivan crowned Celebrity MasterChef". News.com.au. Australian Associated Press. 25 November 2009. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
- ^ Hardie, Giles (20 July 2011). "Masterchef recap: Out-cooking a non-cook". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
- ^ a b c d Sullivan, Eamon (8 June 2013). "Olympic swimmer Eamon Sullivan lapping it up as restaurant owner". The Australian. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Eamon Sullivan and wife Naomi welcome first child". The West Australian. 18 July 2017. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- ^ Parri, Linda (2 September 2017). "'He doesn't laugh at my dad jokes yet'". PerthNow. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Cahill, Denise S. (23 April 2018). "Louis Baxters Subiaco New Owners". Western Suburbs Weekly. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Millar, Sarah (20 April 2016). "Eamon Sullivan on why Perth is a foodie's paradise - realestate.com.au". realestate.com.au. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ Prestipino, David (25 March 2020). "'Knock and run': How Perth restaurants are operating in the new-world order". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ Barnes, Candice (30 January 2015). "Olympic swimmer Eamon Sullivan to open third Perth eatery". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ Eade, Martin (21 February 2020). "First Look: Pogo, Mount Hawthorn's Pretty in Pink Ode to Middle Eastern Cooking Is Now Open". Broadsheet. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ Veenhuyzen, Max (3 September 2018). "A Late-Night Japanese Whisky Bar is Coming to Hibernian Place". Broadsheet. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ Hosking, Julie (15 November 2018). "Three's company". The West Australian. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ de Brito, Raquel (2 May 2016). "Olympian Eamon Sullivan's York wedding". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- ^ Sanders, Krystal; Lawford, Jarrad (22 August 2019). "Eamon's gran dives in to help newborn". The West Australian.
External links
- Eamon Sullivan at World Aquatics
- Eamon Sullivan at Swimming Australia at the Wayback Machine (archived 6 September 2015)
- Eamon Sullivan at the Australian Olympic Committee
- Eamon Sullivan at Olympics.com
- Eamon Sullivan at Olympedia
- Eamon Sullivan at Commonwealth Games Australia
- Eamon Sullivan at the Commonwealth Games Federation (archived)
- Eamon Sullivan at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games (archived)
- Eamon Sullivan at IMDb
- Official website

- 1985 births
- Living people
- Australian male freestyle swimmers
- Olympic swimmers for Australia
- Swimmers at the 2004 Summer Olympics
- Swimmers at the 2008 Summer Olympics
- Swimmers at the 2012 Summer Olympics
- Olympic silver medalists for Australia
- Olympic bronze medalists for Australia
- World record setters in swimming
- Swimmers from Perth, Western Australia
- Swimmers at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
- Commonwealth Games silver medallists for Australia
- Commonwealth Games silver medallists in swimming
- Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for Australia
- Commonwealth Games bronze medallists in swimming
- Swimmers at the 2010 Commonwealth Games
- Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Australia
- Commonwealth Games swimmers for Australia
- Commonwealth Games gold medallists in swimming
- Olympic bronze medalists in swimming
- MasterChef winners
- World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming
- Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics
- People educated at John XXIII College, Perth
- Australian restaurateurs
- Olympic silver medalists in swimming
- Medallists at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
- Medallists at the 2010 Commonwealth Games
- Sportsmen from Western Australia
- 21st-century Australian sportsmen
