SYDNEY, June 15 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has announced the selection of a 41-strong pool swimming team for the upcoming Paris Olympics, with triple Olympic gold medalist Kaylee McKeown spearheading the squad.
The announcement was made at Brisbane Aquatic Centre as the Australian Swimming Trials came to a close on Saturday night.
As a 22-year-old sensation who owns world records in the 50m, 100m, and 200m events of women's backstroke, McKeown is poised to make a splash again on the Olympic stage.
She will be joined by 12 others also returning for their second Games, including Ariarne Titmus who recently smashed the women's 200m freestyle world record at the trials by clocking in one minute and 52.23 seconds.
Among the 41 pool athletes, Cameron McEvoy and Bronte Campbell will become the fourth and fifth Australians to compete in four Olympics, with McEvoy being the first male to reach this milestone.
Kyle Chalmers, Emma McKeon, and Brianna Throssell will represent Australia at their third Olympics. There are also 23 rookies, including 17-year-old Jaclyn Barclay, to make their Olympic debut.
Having been selected to compete in the 10km marathon swimming, Moesha Johnson also booked a spot in the women's 1,500m for her maiden Olympic Games on the final night of trials.
According to the AOC, the depth and talent of Australian swimming are "on full display", as 16 of the athletes selected on Saturday are already Olympic medalists and 15 claimed World Championship golds in 2023.
The pool competitors and another three open-water athletes brought the size of Australia's swimming team up to 44.
"This has been an outstanding Australian Swimming Trials at Brisbane Aquatic Centre - with so many quality swimmers competing fiercely for limited spots," said head coach Rohan Taylor.
"This team is balanced by debutants through to record breakers and stalwarts - from Cam McEvoy and Bronte Campbell at their fourth Games, through to rookies Ben Armbruster and Olivia Wunch," he added.
During the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Paris La Defense Arena will host swimming events from July 27 to Aug. 4, with the marathon swimming competitions scheduled for Aug. 8 and 9 at Pont Alexandre III. ■
