Australian swimmers out world championships

2023.12.16

The crème de la crème of Australian swimmers have opted out of making a splash at the upcoming global championships in Doha.

The roster unveiled on Friday conspicuously omits the names of aquatic virtuosos such as Kyle Chalmers, Mollie O’Callaghan, and Ariarne Titmus. Notably, the dynamic duo of Emma McKeon and Kaylee McKeown have strategically chosen to forgo the February aquatic rendezvous, redirecting their focus towards the grandeur of the impending Olympics in Paris later this year. This strategic maneuver aims to harness their aquatic prowess and peak performance on the grand Olympic stage, making waves of anticipation for their forthcoming aquatic exploits.

Headlined by the reigning world 50-meter freestyle champion, Cameron McEvoy, and the formidable sprinter Shayna Jack, a 18-athlete dream team has emerged to make waves on the international stage. This dynamic duo, known for their aquatic prowess, will spearhead a squad that’s notably more compact, boasting half the size of the powerhouse ensemble that clinched an impressive 25 medals, including 13 gold, at the recent global championships in Fukuoka.

Eyes will be fixed on the 400-meter freestyle, where the 2022 world champion, Elijah Winnington, sets his sights on a repeat triumph. Joining him are seasoned competitors Jenna Forrester, Abbey Harkin, and Brianna Throssell, forming a formidable front in the quest for aquatic supremacy.

The team’s depth is further bolstered by the inclusion of specialists like Iona Anderson, a backstroke virtuoso, and Jaclyn Barclay, a rising star who left an indelible mark at the global junior swimming championships in Israel earlier this year.

These three rookies bring a fresh surge of talent, promising an exciting blend of experience and youthful exuberance to the forefront of international aquatic competition. As the stage is set, this eclectic assembly is poised to script a new chapter of triumph and excellence in the aquatic realm.

Australia have a busy lead-up to the Olympics. The national championships on the Gold Coast are in April and Olympic swimming trials at Brisbane on June 10-15.

Australia squad: Iona Anderson, Jaclyn Barclay, Jack Cartwright, Abbey Connor, Isaac Cooper, Jenna Forrester, Madeleine Gough, Abbey Harkin, Shayna Jack, Moesha Johnson, Cameron McEvoy, Kiah Melverton, Alexandria Perkins, Kai Taylor, Brianna Throssell, Samuel Williamson, Elijah Winnington, Bradley Woodward

@charith