Leisel first joined the Australian Swim Team at just 14 years of age, qualifying to participate at the Sydney 2000 games, where she claimed a silver medal in the 100 metres breaststroke, and also as part of the women’s 4x100 metre medley relay team, at just 15 years of age, the same age that Leisel decided to quit school and focus on her swimming career.

In Athens, 2004, Jones finished with one silver and one bronze as an individual, and one gold as part of the medley relay team. At the 2006 Commonwealth Games, ‘Lethal Leisel’ scooped the pool, claiming gold in all 3 breaststroke events, the first time this had ever been done at the games.

In 2008, Jones won her first individual gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in the 100 metres breaststroke, and picked up another silver in the 200 metre event. Jones went on to be named the 2008 Telstra Swimmer Of The Year.

For the London Olympics, Jones became the first swimmer ever to compete at four Olympic games, and after qualifying fifth fastest through the heats, Jones went on to place 5th in the final.