The top 10 must-watch races at Australia’s swimming trials
Australia’s best swimmers have completed their final training sessions and will walk into the high-pressure environment of Olympic and Paralympic trials on Monday.
The six-day meeting, at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre, promises to be drama-filled, with places at Paris 2024 on the line.
The simplest way to book a ticket to Paris is to finish in the top two and swim under the qualifying time, but spots could be secured via other routes when selectors pick the Dolphins squad on Saturday evening.
World records are not out of the question and some races are too close to call. These are the ones to keep an eye on.
Olympian Giaan Rooney says the depth of talent among Australia’s female freestylers is “mind-boggling”, and this is tipped to be the race of the week. Australia have won the last three Olympic gold medals in the 4x100m freestyle relay due to a remarkable production line of talent that is getting stronger.
Australia’s 4x100m freestyle relay team members with their gold medals at last year’s world championships. Credit: Reuters
Mollie O’Callaghan is a two-time world champion in the event (2022 and 2023) and will be hard to beat. After that, it’ll be a duel between reigning Olympic champion Emma McKeon, Meg Harris and Shayna Jack. Cate and Bronte Campbell, two of Australia’s most decorated Olympians, will also be vying for a spot but need to swim under 53 seconds to have a chance of sneaking into the top two. Australia are likely to take the top six in this event to Paris for the relays. Younger rising stars could cause a boilover.
“The depth in this race is extraordinary,” said Rooney, who will be commentating for Channel Nine. “We could field two 4x100m freestyle relay teams in Paris and they would both medal. This race could be a faster final than in Paris. For........
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