Stanthorpe’s Ben Armbruster off to pursue Paris Olympic dream

From carving up pools in the Granite Belt to booking flights to Paris, one Stanthorpe swimmer’s Olympic dream is one step closer to reality after qualifying for the Games.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 12: Ben Armbruster of Queensland celebrates finishing second in the Men’s 50m Freestyle Final during the 2024 Australian Swimming Trials at Brisbane Aquatic Centre on June 12, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***

It’s been a long journey for one Stanthorpe swimmer, who began his career carving up the “Queensland’s coldest pool” in his native Granite Belt, to now eyeing off Olympic glory in Paris.

On Wednesday night, athlete Ben Armbruster ticked off a major bucket list moment for Australian athletes, by qualifying for the national swim team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 12: Ben Armbruster of Queensland celebrates finishing second in the Men’s 50m Freestyle Final during the 2024 Australian Swimming Trials at Brisbane Aquatic Centre on June 12, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia.

Following a stellar performance in the 50m freestyle at the Brisbane Olympic trials on Wednesday night, where he smashed his own personal best, the 22-year-old has guaranteed his spot in the French capital.

Armbruster finished in second behind Cameron McEvoy, a three-time Olympic swimmer.

Armbruster began swimming at age 4, and being from Stanthorpe meant many long drives to competitions and meets. The swimmer could only train half as much as other athletes, as Stanthorpe’s pool is only open six months a year.

The swimmer's local swim club took to Facebook to call the performance 'inspirational' (Photo: Facebook)

Armbruster’s boyhood swim club in Stanthorpe took to Facebook shortly following his big win on Wednesday night, congratulating the young athlete and calling his performance “inspirational”.

“Biggest congrats to you Ben, the boy from the coldest pool in (Queensland), now an Olympian. What a story!” a resident commented.

Stanthorpe-based councillor Russell Wantling also commented on the qualification, saying the region now has it’s very own Olympian.

Ben Armbruster has been smashing records and winning medals since young. Here he is crowned 15-year-old age champion, from the archive. (Photo: File)

“And just like that we are able to boast our very own Olympian Ben Armbruster. Congratulations Ben, on an incredible swim tonight,” Cr Wantling said.

“This outstanding achievement is sure to inspire all our sporting residents across the Southern Downs,” he said.

“Ben’s success highlights the importance of having accessible sporting facilities for everyone and shows that with big dreams, nothing is impossible.”