Couttsie, as she is affectionately called, has always been passionate about swimming. Her father, Gary, passed away from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma when she was seven years old. Despite financial struggles, her swim coach Dave Urquhart trained her for over a decade for free. This dedication helped her become an elite swimmer.

Challenges and Injuries

Throughout her career, Coutts faced numerous challenges. She suffered from glandular fever in 2006, which prevented her from competing at the Commonwealth Games selection trials. In 2007 and 2009, she underwent major abdominal surgeries due to bowel problems. These surgeries caused her to miss the world championships in 2009.

In late 2014, Coutts suffered a serious shoulder injury and a hand injury in October of the same year. Despite these setbacks, she continued to train and compete. Her resilience and determination were evident throughout her career.

Achievements and Honours

Coutts' list of achievements is impressive. She was inducted into the Australian Path of Champions in 2014. She received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2014 Australia Day Honours list alongside her fellow 4x100m gold medallists from the 2012 London Olympics.

She was named the Australian Institute of Sport Athlete of the Year in 2012, sharing the title with sailor Tom Slingsby. Additionally, she was named Australia Swimmer of the Year in both 2010 and 2012 and Female Swimmer of the Year by the Australian Institute of Sport in 2008.

Olympic Success

At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Coutts claimed five medals. This achievement placed her alongside Ian Thorpe and Shane Gould for winning the most medals by an Australian at a single edition of the Olympic Games.

Retirement

Coutts retired from competitive swimming in October 2016. Reflecting on her career, she expressed pride in her achievements and gratitude for her team's support. A week after announcing her retirement, she revealed that she was expecting her first child in May 2017.

Personal Life

Alicia Coutts resides in Canberra with her husband Steve. She enjoys shopping and going to the movies during her free time. Her sporting philosophy is encapsulated in her motto: "Success isn't final, failure isn't fatal; it's courage that counts."

Legacy

Coutts' journey from a young girl with a dream to an elite swimmer is inspiring. Her story is one of perseverance, dedication, and triumph over adversity. Her contributions to Australian swimming will be remembered for years to come.