Australian Story on ABC and ABC iview profiles Michael Klim – In the first episode of our 30th season, Australian Story features Olympic swimming great Michael Klim, who reveals how he came to terms with a devastating medical diagnosis.
“Six years ago, my identity was taken away and I couldn’t see a future,”
– he tells Australian Story from his home in Bali.
Michael was diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, a progressive autoimmune disease that causes muscle wastage and sensory loss. For someone who was once at the top of his sport, smashing world records and winning medals at three Olympic games, it was bitter blow.
“The physical degradation is one thing, but the mental issue was probably the biggest hurdle to overcome,”
– he says.
With him through his darkest hours was his fiancée Michelle Owen, who he had met just before his diagnosis.
“I said to her that you’ve got the dud version of Michael Klim. I don’t want you to have to live with this burden.”
In a moving episode, Michael reveals how he’s emerged from the most difficult period of his life and his hopes for the future.
“I feel like now I’m no less of a person or even, to be honest, probably a fuller person because of what I’ve been through,”
– says Michael.
“I never thought I’d say that.”
Also appearing in the episode are his partner Michelle, former Olympians Ian Thorpe and Daniel Kowalski, US Olympic champion Gary Hall Jr, and Klim’s parents, sister and children.
Australian Story was launched 30 years ago with a brief to tell the stories of prominent and everyday Australians. Over its three decades on air, the show has profiled more than a thousand people, won many awards and built a large and loyal audience. We’ll be celebrating this landmark anniversary with a live event later in the year.
‘Sink or Swim’ producer: Rebecca Armstrong.
Australian Story on ABC and ABC iview – Monday 2 February, 2026 at 8.00pm
Media Release – ABC
TV Central ABC content HERE
Australian Story on ABC and ABC iview profiles Michael Klim
