Olympian Susie O’Neill turns 50, prepares for World Aquatic Masters

Olympian Susie O’Neill is spending the big 5-0 preparing for her surprise return to competitive swimming.

Most celebrate their 50th birthday with fine dining or a lively party. Susie O’Neill, however, is celebrating her milestone birthday today by gearing up for her first competitive swim since the Sydney Olympics in 2000, the World Aquatic Masters in Fukuoka, Japan next week.

What began as a tongue-in-cheek discussion between O’Neill and fellow Nova 106.9 hosts Ash Bradnam and David ‘Luttsy’ Lutteral, morphed into an unexpected return to the pool, but this time with her colleagues by her side.

“I thought they might organise something … but I didn’t actually think it’d be a swimming carnival,” she quipped, recalling the surprising suggestion.

Initially conceived as a relay team foray, with a lucky listener, 52-year-old Kylie Fletcher, as the fourth member, the plan evolved when her time trials surprisingly broke the world record for her age group in the 50m butterfly.

Susie O’Neill gets some laps in at Centenary Aquatic Centre before the Masters World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Picture: Adam Head

This unexpected achievement sparked a decision to enter the individual butterfly event.

“I had no idea (about my time),” she confessed.

Yet this revelation seems to have fuelled her competitive spirit,

With the competition looming, O’Neill combines nerves and excitement with a sense of calm, adding that she has nothing to prove; rather, this is an opportunity to stay fit, return to her beloved sport, and create new memories.

“I think there will be a good amount of nerves, I’ve just got to make sure I don’t try too hard. Yeah, because if you try too hard, you go slower … I just have to stay relaxed and enjoy,” she said.

But for those hoping for a full comeback, she was clear.

“This will be a one and done. It’s more just to go over and have a bit of fun for my 50th, compete in the relay with the (Nova) boys.”

Reflecting on the surreal situation, she mused: “I almost always think about when I was 10 and started swimming and think, imagine my 10-year-old self knowing that she did all this.”