"3% of a nation ever make a national team and 0.8% ever get to stand on the dais. Those stats were a major confirmation for me knowing the Olympics was what I wanted in 2000, regardless of missing out on school formals, not staying out too late or forgetting about indulging in the normal experiments of drinking and boys, whilst others took the path often chosen, I chose the harder route, and what I learnt was that sometimes the right thing to do is often the toughest."
Following her stellar swimming career dual Olympian Elka has successfully transitioned to a media career both on TV and radio. She also covered the London 2012 Olympics for Fox Sports.
Elka received medals at every international swim meet from the 2000 Sydney Olympics, 2004 Athens Olympics, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Pan Pacific's and the World Cup up until she announced her retirement at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. In her swimming career Elka set both Australian and Commonwealth records and received dais medal status in all events.
In 2001 she recorded the fastest swim in the 200m Freestyle and became number one in the world. 2001-2004 saw her top 3 in the world for both the 200m and 400m freestyle. In 2003 she won gold in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m at the World Championships, no other woman has achieved this feat.
A big supporter of the Heart Foundation, Elka?s passion lies in dedicating her time to those in need. Elka is energetic, vivacious and articulate, with an infectious smile and great sense of humour.
Elka sees life as a challenge, she thrives on pressure and uses her enthusiasm to turn any situation into a positive. With maturity and experience beyond her years, Elka Whalan is an asset to Australian sport and an inspirational role model for all people.
Elka is a highly sought after speaker and has completed over 500 speaking engagements throughout her career. She loves hosting and emceeing and has received great feedback from many of her engagements. Elka can speak on a variety of subjects and is an excellent host.
"Every morning I wake to know that there are 86,400 seconds in every single day and if I ever feel short changed I know that everyone else has the exact same of amount of seconds in their day as I do. Two questions I always ask in my seminars, are "Do you know who you are?" and "Where do you want to go?" More often than not many people know what they want or where they are going but struggle with identifying themselves.
Testimonials
Elka combined youthful enthusiasm with wise words of advice about setting goals and going for them with determination. She really added an inspiring dimension to our Duke of Edinburgh's Award presentation evening. The girls and their parents spoke so positively about Elka's honest and humorous delivery as she told us about her life journey so far. She related so easily to the girls at their age and stage and I am sure that many will be influenced to strive for bigger and better goals than they could have imagined beforehand.
- Pymble Girls Private High school
With your charismatic stage presence you delighted the crowd with a down to earth and engaging speech on life and the dedication it took for you to be successful in accomplishing your goals in swimming. From comments I received over the weekend it would be safe to say for many delegates you were not only the hit of the night but of the whole State Conference. Any organisation who would wish to have a delightful speaker, full of knowledge of lessons learned with tremendously funny anecdotally stories could not do better than Elka Graham. We were more than suitable impressed so please accept our congratulations and thanks for a job well done.
- NSW Touch Football
Elka's deliverance is hilarious, she is real, individual and so honest. Her aura and "zest" for life is truly remarkable. Whether for team building, businessmen, or motivation, Elka encapsulates it all with the right mix of experience, wisdom beyond her years and a great message. One of the best speakers I have heard in years.
- MD Energy Australia
With your charismatic stage presence you delighted the crowd with a down to earth and engaging speech on life and the dedication it took for you to be successful in accomplishing your goals in swimming. From comments I received over the weekend it would be safe to say for many delegates you were not only the hit of the night but of the whole State Conference. Any organisation who would wish to have a delightful speaker, full of knowledge of lessons learned with tremendously funny anecdotally stories could not do better than Elka Graham. We were more than suitable impressed so please accept our congratulations and thanks for a job well done
- NSW Touch Football
Elka’s deliverance is hilarious, she is real, individual and so honest. Her aura and “zest†for life is truly remarkable. Whether for team building, businessmen, or motivation, Elka encapsulates it all with the right mix of experience, wisdom beyond her years and a great message. One of the best speakers I have heard in years
- MD Energy Australia
Elka combined youthful enthusiasm with wise words of advice about setting goals and going for them with determination. She really added an inspiring dimension to our Duke of Edinburgh's Award presentation evening. The girls and their parents spoke so positively about Elka's honest and humorous delivery as she told us about her life journey so far. She related so easily to the girls at their age and stage and I am sure that many will be influenced to strive for bigger and better goals than they could have imagined beforehand
- Pymble Girls Private High school
As MC for our annual women’s breakfast Elka absolutely captivated our large early morning audience with her warmth and humour, and ably moved the event through its tight agenda. At every stage Elka was a consummate professional, and we have had so many written comments of appreciation from our guests. Elka also spoke as keynote at our subsequent VIP women’s luncheon and again completely engaged the audience, this time with her personal story and inspirational messages. Her energy, charm and openness helped enormously in making this important event such a success. The Heart Foundation is extremely grateful for the professionalism and immense warmth Elka contributed to our events
- Heart Foundation
