Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown headline star-studded Dolphins squad confirmed for Paris
After an emotional and dramatic six days of Olympic trials in Brisbane, the Australian swim squad for Paris has been locked in. See who made the cut and the leading medal hopes.
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Australia has named a 44-person swim team for the Paris Olympic Games, headlined by defending champions Ariarne Titmus and Kaylee McKeown and featuring 22 Olympic rookies.
Titmus and McKeown are the biggest names in the star-studded Dolphins squad with both a chance to become the first Australian women since Dawn Fraser to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in individual events.
McKeown is defending her 100m and 200m backstroke titles while Titmus returns to the Olympic stage as defending champion in the 200m and 400m freestyle.
They are not the only gold medal contenders in the Paris team with current world rankings showing Australia is on target for up to eight gold medals, with five silver and nine bronze medals in their future if they can deliver on the big stage.
After an emotional and dramatic six days of Olympic trials in Brisbane, Olympic team chef de mission added 40-swimmers to the four open water athletes who had already been named for Paris.
Moesha Johnson will have the rare honour of competing in both the open water and pool swimming in Paris after qualifying for the 1500m freestyle.
There are four swimmers on the team who are children of previous Olympic swimmers including Emma McKeon (daughter of Ron McKeon), Lani Pallister (daughter of Janelle Elford), Ella Ramsay (daughter of Heath Ramsay) and Kai Taylor (son of Hayley Lewis).
Here is everything you need to know about the Dolphins Olympic swim team:
When does the swimming start?
Swimming starts on Saturday July 27 and the opening day of the Games could become one of the greatest in Australian Olympic swimming history. The day one finals, which will be live from 4.30am AEST on Sunday July 28, will feature Ariarne Titmus in the 400m freestyle, Elijah Winnington and Sam Short in the 400m freestyle, the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay who were 2023 world champions and the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team that is attempting to win their fourth straight Olympic gold medal after victories at London, Rio and Tokyo.
Who is the oldest member?
The Australian swim team will have three 30-year-olds in Paris, all born just 11 days apart.
Cameron McEvoy is officially the oldest in the team with his birthday on May 13, one day older than Bronte Campbell who was born on May 14.
Australia’s most successful Olympian, Emma McKeon, turned 30 on May 24.
Who is the youngest member?
Jaclyn Barclay is a 17-year-old backstroker from the powerful St Peters Western swim squad coached by Dean Boxall.
Who are the Olympic debutants?
Women: Iona Anderson, Jaclyn Barclay, Abbey Connor, Lizzie Dekkers, Jenna Forrester, Shayna Jack, Moesha Johnson, Lani Pallister, Alex Perkins, Jamie Perkins, Ella Ramsay, Olivia Wunsch
Men: Ben Armbruster, Jack Cartwright, Max Giuliani, William Petric, Sam Short, Flynn Southam, Kai Taylor, Sam Williamson, Brad Woodward, William Yang, Josh Yong
Who has the most Olympic appearances?
Four: Bronte Campbell (2012, 2016, 2021, 2024); Cameron McEvoy (2012, 2016, 2021, 2024)
Three: Emma McKeon (2016, 2021, 2024); Kyle Chalmers (2016, 2021, 2024), Brianna Throssell (2016, 2021, 2024)
Who are the offspring of previous Olympians?
Kai Taylor, son of triple Olympian Hayley Lewis (1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney)
Emma McKeon, daughter of double Olympian Ron McKeon (1980 Moscow, 1984 Los Angeles)
Ella Ramsay, daughter of Sydney 2000 Olympian Heath Ramsay
Lani Pallister, daughter of Seoul 1988 Olympian Janelle Elford
Which athletes have the most events?
Kaylee McKeown - 100m, 200m backstroke, 200m medley, 4x100m medley relay, 4x100m mixed medley relay
Mollie O’Callaghan - 100m, 200m freestyle, 100m backstroke (likely to withdraw), 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x200m freestyle relay, 4x100m mixed medley relay
Ariarne Titmus - 200m, 400m, 800m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay
Elijah Winnington - 400m, 800m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay
Sam Short - 400m, 800m, 1500m freestyle
Lani Pallister - 400m, 800m, 1500m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay
Ella Ramsay - 100m, 200m breaststroke, 200m medley, 4x100m medley relay
Shayna Jack - 50m, 100m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x200m freestyle relay, 4x100m medley relay, 4x100m mixed medley relay
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