Paris Olympics 2024: Australian swimmers arrive as ‘pressure’ for gold medals grows
The Dolphins are in Paris and the first message they received was one of support, acknowledging the pressure that is about to envelope what looms as Australia’s greatest swim team in history.
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The Dolphins finally landed in Paris and the first message they received from Olympic team chef de mission Anna Meares was one of support, acknowledging the pressure that is about to envelope what looms as Australia’s greatest swim team in history.
As the likes of Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown, Mollie O’Callaghan and Kyle Chalmers coolly smiled upon finally arriving in the athletes’ village and later took their first glimpse of the stunning La Defense Arena which will become their pool of dreams from Saturday, Meares was immediately calming the waters of team harmony.
Every Olympics the swim team is suffocated by the pressure of carrying Australia’s medal tally and getting the gold rush off to a flying start.
It will be no different in Paris, as this team has the potential to exceed the Tokyo Olympics haul of nine gold medals after winning 13 world championship gold medals in 2023.
But Meares wanted the 44 Dolphins who arrived on Tuesday to know within the inner sanctum of the wider Australian Olympic team there is no expectation to break records or scoop bulk medals in the pool – but rather an opportunity to write their own script for the 128-year legacy of Australia at the Games.
“I know that just being a Dolphin carries a lot of expectation and pressure, and I hope that here you feel like a member of this Australian Olympic team, this is your space to feel comfortable and safe, and know that whatever happens out there, know that we’re in your corner,” Meares told them.
“We’re here to support you and do as much as we can in that process. The rest of the time we’re going to get out of the way.
“We know that you have been preparing extremely hard.
“We know that you’re ready to battle and the fights that are coming, and we’re also really excited about that.
“I’ve been saying in these (team village) briefings the pages of Paris 2024 have not been written yet.
“Those pages are going to be put into the book of an extensive history of the Australian Olympic team – a 128-year history.
“I’m really excited to see what marks you put in there, firstly, as a person as a member of this team, and what you do in the pool as well, because that’s going to be a keepsake for the generations to come.
“We know that there are a lot of Australians cheering on every member of this Australian team, and just know that every staff member is here doing the exact same for you.
“So go Dolphins. Let’s go. Have a good one.”
Originally published as Paris Olympics 2024: Australian swimmers arrive as ‘pressure’ for gold medals grows
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