Aussie swimming great Konrads to sell medals

One of Australia's greatest swimmers, triple Olympian John Konrads, plans to sell his prized collection of medals and memorabilia at auction this month. Now 69, Konrads helped Australia become the envy of every other sporting nation with his exploits in the pool during the 1950s and 1960s. As well as winning gold in the 1500 metre freestyle at the 1960 Rome Olympics, Konrads set 12 world records over 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, and another four in the relays. As well as his own medals, he has collected memorabilia from Olympics dating back to Paris in 1900 which will all be up for grabs at the auction in Melbourne on August 18. "The decision to sell isn't easy," Konrads said. "It's something I have to do to close a chapter in my life and while I hope that it will remain as a single collection and be available to the public, I realise that it may not happen that way." His Rome gold medal is expected to fetch up to Aus$25,000 (US$27,600).