KLIM Memoir Coming Soon 2024
Hachette Australia is thrilled to announce the upcoming publication of Klim, the powerful memoir by Australian swimming superstar, Michael Klim; charting the life of the Polish-born Australian boy, who took up swimming to become a gold medal-winning Olympian. Published by Scott Henderson, Senior Non-Fiction Publisher at Hachette Australia, the autobiography follows Michael as he excels on swimming’s greatest stages, founds multiple businesses, starts a family, and faces personal health battles. Having recently announced his ongoing battle with chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy, this is an inspirational memoir of Australia’s nicest hero, the man from Poland who continues to endure life’s tumble turns, keeping his head above water no matter what comes his way.
Klim said: “I’ve been approached before to tell my story but it didn’t seem like the right time. Now it does. I have had a period when I have been able to reflect a lot on my life because of events in the last two or three years. There have been Olympic anniversaries, the impact of Covid and my own health issues and these have made me appreciate the life I have had. In some ways, I feel I am starting a new life with this disorder, and that has brought home to me that there is much more to my life than the athletic story. I have life experience and personal tribulations that have shaped me – as much as my swimming career – and I’m ready to share.”
Henderson said: ‘What Michael has achieved in his professional, philanthropic and personal lives has been a source of continuous inspiration for millions around the globe. Michael is the ultimate “good bloke”, achieving at the pinnacle of swimming, building business empires and conquering health challenges along the way. His natural gift for storytelling and untamed thirst for life have made for some incredible tales, and we look forward to sharing them upon the release of KLIM.’
Michael’s story: At 18 years of age, Michael Klim was named Australian Swimming Rookie of the Year in 1995 as he embarked on his professional career. Michael emerged on the world stage after winning a bronze medal in his first Olympic appearance in the 1996 Atlanta Games and continued his rise in 1997 when he broke the world record in the 100m butterfly. In 1997, Michael was awarded the World Swimmer of the Year at the age of 20.
At the 1998 FINA World Championships in Perth, Michael’s record haul of seven medals in seven events, including four gold, is one of the most outstanding performances by an Australian at an international swim meet. Michael backed this performance up in the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur where again, he won seven medals, including four gold. Michael was named Australian Swimmer of the Year in 1998.
The 2000 Sydney Olympic Games saw Michael star, winning two gold and two silver medals. He was instrumental in Australia’s thrilling 4 x 100m relay victory, unleashing a world record lead off swim to win his first gold on the first night. Michael later helped smash the world record in the 4 x 200m relay to win his second gold.
After a two-year break from swimming, prompted by injury, Michael returned to swimming during the 2004 Athens Games. One of three triple Olympians in the squad, Michael won his sixth medal as part of the 4x200m freestyle relay. He continued his spectacular comeback at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games where he won gold in the men’s 4x100m medley relay, silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay and 100m butterfly and bronze in the 50m butterfly. After retiring in 2007, Michael Klim returned to swimming in 2011 with the hope of reaching the 2012 London Olympics. After swimming impressively to reach the Semi-Finals in both the 100m Freestyle and 100m Butterfly at the Australian Championships in March 2012, Michael once again announced his retirement, venturing into the world of business. In 2020, Michael was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
In July 2022, Klim revealed that he had been diagnosed with the auto-immune disorder chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in 2020, which has affected his legs and feet and left him struggling to walk unassisted.
KLIM by Michael Klim will be published in September 2024.
Klim said: “I’ve been approached before to tell my story but it didn’t seem like the right time. Now it does. I have had a period when I have been able to reflect a lot on my life because of events in the last two or three years. There have been Olympic anniversaries, the impact of Covid and my own health issues and these have made me appreciate the life I have had. In some ways, I feel I am starting a new life with this disorder, and that has brought home to me that there is much more to my life than the athletic story. I have life experience and personal tribulations that have shaped me – as much as my swimming career – and I’m ready to share.”
Henderson said: ‘What Michael has achieved in his professional, philanthropic and personal lives has been a source of continuous inspiration for millions around the globe. Michael is the ultimate “good bloke”, achieving at the pinnacle of swimming, building business empires and conquering health challenges along the way. His natural gift for storytelling and untamed thirst for life have made for some incredible tales, and we look forward to sharing them upon the release of KLIM.’
Michael’s story: At 18 years of age, Michael Klim was named Australian Swimming Rookie of the Year in 1995 as he embarked on his professional career. Michael emerged on the world stage after winning a bronze medal in his first Olympic appearance in the 1996 Atlanta Games and continued his rise in 1997 when he broke the world record in the 100m butterfly. In 1997, Michael was awarded the World Swimmer of the Year at the age of 20.
At the 1998 FINA World Championships in Perth, Michael’s record haul of seven medals in seven events, including four gold, is one of the most outstanding performances by an Australian at an international swim meet. Michael backed this performance up in the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur where again, he won seven medals, including four gold. Michael was named Australian Swimmer of the Year in 1998.
The 2000 Sydney Olympic Games saw Michael star, winning two gold and two silver medals. He was instrumental in Australia’s thrilling 4 x 100m relay victory, unleashing a world record lead off swim to win his first gold on the first night. Michael later helped smash the world record in the 4 x 200m relay to win his second gold.
After a two-year break from swimming, prompted by injury, Michael returned to swimming during the 2004 Athens Games. One of three triple Olympians in the squad, Michael won his sixth medal as part of the 4x200m freestyle relay. He continued his spectacular comeback at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games where he won gold in the men’s 4x100m medley relay, silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay and 100m butterfly and bronze in the 50m butterfly. After retiring in 2007, Michael Klim returned to swimming in 2011 with the hope of reaching the 2012 London Olympics. After swimming impressively to reach the Semi-Finals in both the 100m Freestyle and 100m Butterfly at the Australian Championships in March 2012, Michael once again announced his retirement, venturing into the world of business. In 2020, Michael was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
In July 2022, Klim revealed that he had been diagnosed with the auto-immune disorder chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in 2020, which has affected his legs and feet and left him struggling to walk unassisted.
KLIM by Michael Klim will be published in September 2024.