2024 Australian Olympic Qualifiers
Emma McKeon She became Australia's most decorated Olympian in Tokyo, winning four gold and three bronze medals for her 11th overall. Last night she won the 100m butterfly to secure her third Olympic spot, but also made history in another way.
McKeown, who turned 30 on May 24, is the oldest swimmer to be selected for Australia's Olympic swimming team in 32 years. Lisa Curry She was 30 years old when she qualified for the 1992 Barcelona Games in the 100 butterfly (13th place) and 50 freestyle (9th place) – two events that, coincidentally, were McKeown's forte.
McKeown finished in 56.85 seconds, just over a second shy of the Australian record of 55.72 she set on her way to winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, and she had run a faster time (56.58) at the U.S. Championships in April this season.
“Knowing I'm going to Paris, I guess it takes a little bit of the pressure off,” McKeown said after the swim. “I've been looking forward to it for three years now, so it's nice to have that out of the way and to be able to go to Paris.” [Olympic] team.”
Earlier this year, McKeown said Paris would be his last Olympics.
It hasn't been an easy season for McKeown so far. In December, she withdrew from the 2023 Queensland Championships to recover from a torn armpit muscle. Now, with her qualification secured, she can turn her attention to the intense competition in the 100m freestyle. She is the national record holder and reigning Olympic champion (51.96), but Australia's strength in the event means the battle for individual places will be a bloody one.
McKeown will also compete in the 50m freestyle, in which he is also the reigning Olympic champion.
