SWIMMING AUSTRALIA OLYMPIC TRIALS
- Saturday, June 12th – Thursday, June 17th
- South Australia Aquatic & Leisure Centre, Adelaide, Australia
- Sole Olympic-Qualifying Opportunity
- 2021 Swimming Australia Olympic Nomination Criteria
- Meet Site
- Final Start List
- Live results
- Qualifying Criteria
- Day 3 Finals Live Stream (Amazon Prime required)
The third day of competition is underway at the Swimming Australia Olympic and Paralympic trials. Yesterday saw Kaylee McKeown break the world record in the 100 backstroke and Ariarne Titmus coming with .50 seconds of Katie Ledecky‘s world record in the 400 freestyle.
Both swimmers will be competing tonight and earned top seeds at this morning’s preliminary session. McKeown cruised to a 2:13.19 in the 200 IM to lead the field by over a second. With a 2:08.23 from December, she should have a lot more left in the tank tonight. Titmus swam a 1:55.72 in the 200 freestyle to lead all swimmers. The Australian women hold the world record in the 800 freestyle relay and their depth in this event is on full display. It took 1:58.05 to make the finals heat tonight and the top six swimmers were all under 1:57.00 this morning. Emma McKeon, who broke the Australian record in the 100 butterfly on night one, is the third seed at 1:56.52.
If the men’s 400 freestyle from the first day is any indication, the 800 freestyle tonight should be a great race. Jack McLoughlin, the runner up in the 400, is the top seed in the event at 7:42.64. The winner of the 400, Elijah Winnington has scratched, leaving the door open for Thomas Neill at 7:48.65. Olympic veteran Mack Horton is the fifth seed at 7:52.65. McLoughlin is seeded within four seconds of Grant Hackett‘s Australian record.
Women 200 Meter IM – Finals
- World Record: 2:06.12 – Katinka Hosszu (HUN), 2015
- Australian Record: 2:07.03 – Stephanie Rice, 2009
- Commonwealth Record: 2:06.88 – Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (GBR), 2016
- World Junior Record: 2:09.64 – Yu Yiting (CHN), 2021
- 2016 Olympic Champion: Katinka Hosszu (HUN) – 2:06.58
- Olympic Qualifying Time: 2:10.49
Podium:
- Kaylee McKeown – 2:08.19
- Tessa Wallace – 2:11.79
- Meg Bailey – 2:12.88
McKeown, to no surprise, was out to the early lead, turning at the first 50 in 27.71. McKeown extended her lead after backstroke, turning in 1:00.37. Tessa Wallace would move up on the breaststroke leg, turning second behind McKeown with a 50 left. McKeown would finish in 2:08.19 in a personal best time, dropping .04 from her world-leading time from December. Wallace’s time of 2:11.79 is her first time under 2:12 and off the qualifying time for Tokyo. Bailey put up a best time as well, dropping .40 off her previous best of 2:13.28.
RANKING SEARCH RESULTS
2020-2021 LCM WOMEN 200 IM
MCKEOWN
2:08.23
| 2 | ABBIE WOOD |
GBR | 2:09.23 | 04/17 |
| 3 | MIHO TERAMURA |
JPN | 2:09.55 | 01/24 |
| 4 | YUI OHASHI |
JPN | 2:09.59 | 02/06 |
| 5 | ALICIA WILSON |
GBR | 2:09.61 | 04/17 |
Men 12&O 150 Meter IM MC, SM2-SM4 Finals
Podium:
- Ahmed Kelly – 3:00.70
- Grant Patterson – 3:06.18
Kelly and “Scooter” Patterson faced off for the second time today as both swimmers are in the same classification. Patterson had early speed in the first 50, touching in 56.99 after the backstroke leg. Kelly moved ahead on breaststroke and opened-up a three second lead heading into the freestyle leg. Kelly would take the win as both swimmers would be under the qualifying time and put themselves into position to qualify for Tokyo.
Women 12&O 200 Meter IM MC, SM5-SM14 – Finals
Podium (by points):
- Jasmine Greenwood – 903
- Tiffany Thomas Kane – 744
- Poppy Wilson – 740
As a contrast to the previous event, the women’s 200 IM multi-class event had swimmers from different classifications. 16-year old Jasmine Greenwood would set the Australian record in the SM10 classification twice today as she swam 2:29.93 this morning then dropped another .10 seconds tonight as she swam 2:29.83.
Men 12&O 200 Meter IM MC, SM5-SM14 – Finals
Podium (by points):
- Tim Hodge – 964
- Matthew Levy – 896
- (tie) Liam Schulter and Jesse Aungles – 856
Tim Hodge, the top finisher this morning, dropped over a second from his prelims swim of 2:17.03 to finish in 2:15.25 and under the qualifying time. Matthew Levy, a 4-time Paralympic qualifier, set an Australian record in the S7 classification this morning with a time of 2:35.99. Levy was a bit slower this evening but achieved a qualifying time in prelims.
Men 200 Meter Butterfly – Finals
- World Record: 1:50.73 – Kristof Milak (HUN), 2019
- Australian Record: 1:54.46 – Nick D’Arcy, 2009
- Commonwealth Record: 1:52.96 – Chad le Clos (RSA), 2012
- World Junior Record: 1:53.79 – Kristof Milak (HUN), 2017
- 2016 Olympic Champion: Michael Phelps (USA) – 1:53.36
- Olympic Qualifying Time: 1:56.25
Podium:
- Matthew Temple – 1:55.25
- David Morgan – 1:55.40
- Bowen Gough – 1:55.88
Matthew Temple, the top qualifier this morning was out quick in 24.91 in the first 50, well faster than his prelims swim. Bowen Gough moved up the second 50 and touched with the lead at the halfway point. Gough would continue to lead at the 150. The last 50 would turn into a 3-way race with Gough, Temple, and David Morgan moving up on the field. Temple came back to win in a personal best time of 1:55.25 followed by Morgan in 1:55.40 and Gough in 1:55.88. All three swimmers under the OQT; as only two swimmers can make the team in each event, Temple and Morgan will be competing in Tokyo.
Women 200 Meter Freestyle – Finals
- World Record: 1:52.98 – Federica Pellegrini (ITA), 2009
Australian Record: 1:54.27 – Ariarne Titmus, 2019Commonwealth Record: 1:54.27 – Ariarne Titmus, 2019- World Junior Record: 1:55.43 – Junxuan Yang (CHN), 2019
- 2016 Olympic Champion: Katie Ledecky (USA) – 1:53.73
- Olympic Qualifying Time: 1:56.82
Podium:
- Ariarne Titmus – 1:53.09
- Emma McKeon – 1:54.74
- Madison Wilson – 1:55.68
- Leah Neale – 1:56.08
Six swimmers in prelims would have made finals at the 2019 FINA World Championships. Aside from individual qualification, there are relay spots at stake tonight. Eyes will be on the battle between Titmus and McKeon.
McKeon was out fast, and built lead of half a body length at the first 50 as she turned in 26.22. McKeon would hold the lead ahead of Titmus at the 100 as she turned in 55.27 with both under world-record pace. Titmus made her move on the third 50, splitting 29.09 to McKeon’s 29.96 to lead at the 150 in 1:24.64. Titmus was battling the WR line with 10 meters left and would finish in 1:53.09 for a new Australian and Commonwealth record and the second fastest time in history. Only Federica Pellegrini from 2009 is faster at 1:52.98.
The top four Australian women combine for a 7:39.59, which is nearly two seconds faster than the current world record in the 800 freestyle relay of 7:41.50 held by Australia. This does not account for relay exchanges and any additional drops that will happen between now and Tokyo.
Titmus split of 28.45 on the final 50 was her second-fastest 50 of the race, out-splitting McKeon by over a second. Titmus’ swim puts her over a second ahead of Katie Ledecky for number one in the world this year. McKeon moves up to fourth in the world rankings.
RANKING SEARCH RESULTS
2020-2021 LCM WOMEN 200 FREE
LEDECKY
1:54.40
| 2 | YANG JUNXUAN |
CHN | 1:54.57 | 05/04 |
| 3 | SIOBHAN HAUGHEY |
HKG | 1:54.89 | 04/18 |
| 4 | ARIARNE TITMUS |
AUS | 1:55.43 | 04/15 |
| 5 | EMMA MCKEON |
AUS | 1:55.56 | 03/21 |
Men 12&O 50 Back MC, S1-S5 – Finals
Podium:
- Grant Patterson – 58.02
Scooter Patterson was in the pool for his second event of the day. Patterson was swimming solo and had the strength of the crowd behind him. His time of 58.02 was a bit slower than his 57.85 from this morning and missed the qualifying time in the event. Patterson is stronger in other events and has already put up two qualifying swims at the meet.
Men 800 Meter Freestyle – Finals
- World Record: 7:32.12 – Lin Zhang (CHN), 2009
- Australian Record: 7:38.65 – Grant Hackett, 2005
- Commonwealth Record: 7:38.65 – Grant Hackett, 2005
- World Junior Record: 7:45.67 – Mack Horton (AUS), 2013
- 2016 Olympic Champion: N/A (New Olympic event in 2021)
- Olympic Qualifying Time: 7:48.12
Podium:
- Jack McLoughlin – 7:42.51
- Thomas Neil – 7:48.97
- Samuel Short – 7:56.81
Through the first 200 it was a race between McLoughlin and Neil as they opened-up a body-length lead on the field. The two would swim together stroke for stroke over the second 200. McLoughlin held the lead at the 400 with a split of 3:50.50 with Neill just behind at 3:50.71. McLoughlin began to pull away over the fifth 100 as he led Neil by over a second at the 500 meter mark. McLoughlin continued to expand his lead over the final 300 meters to finish in 7:42.51, just under his previous best of 7:42.64 from the 2019 World Championships. Neill, who has already qualified for the 800 freestyle relay, faded over the last 50 to finish second in 7:48.97 and outside of the OQT.
McLoughlin has qualified for his second individual event for Tokyo, after finishing second in the 400 freestyle on Saturday. He ranks second in the world this season in the 800, just behind Gregorio Paltrinieri’s 7:41.96.
RANKING SEARCH RESULTS
2020-2021 LCM MEN 800 FREE
PALTRINIERI
7:41.96
| 2 | MYKHAYLO ROMANCHUK |
UKR | 7:42.61 | 05/22 |
| 3 | GABRIELE DETTI |
ITA | 7:46.10 | 05/22 |
| 4 | FELIX AUBOECK |
AUT | 7:46.72 | 04/11 |
| 5 | HENRIK CHRISTIANSEN |
NOR | 7:47.99 | 05/22 |
TITMUS > LEDECKY
So scary to think what Is happening next in TiTmus
Sub 8:10 in 800m ?
She is gonna win 4 gold medals in Tokyo
OOO…Yes, we need some Titmus 800m speculation now! Commonwealth (Addlingtons 8:14) Record will go!
ledecky’s aus allcomers record of 8:11.35?
200m: 1.18s faster
400m 1.86s faster
Maybe 3.5s faster in 800m ?
Three is viable (200/400/4×200) but, unless Ledecky somehow doesn’t qualify or is terribly ill in Tokyo; its highly unlikely anyone is beating her in what are her strongest events (800/1500) Ledecky’s margin over the others is just that big in those 2 events whereas she’s rarely if ever had that margin at 200 and Titmus has bridged the gap at 400. These are Titmus’ optimal events; whereas 800 is probably Ledecky’s. At this point in the 800, she’s only one of a handful of medal contenders in around the 8.13-8.16 range (most of them 800/1500 swimmers. If she DOES go and bust out a sub 8.10, then we might have something to go with but until that happens its minor… Read more »
No one from any nationality has her name engraved on the medals as yet, she is 2nd or 3rd best in the 800 but nothing is guaranteed, if I was a betting man, my money would be on Ledecky in the 800/1500 as it would be on Titmus on 200/400.
Maybe they giver her a heat swim in the 4×100 depending on that pans out? I don’t see a 4th swim otherwise.
just a reminder that australia has a population of 25.5 million.
Yes, Australia punches above its weight. But so do other nations. Hungary has a population of 10 million.
Population isn’t correlated with skill sports.
No it doesn’t, but it gives you more opportunity. The greater the opportunity the greater the chances.
If you had 10 tickets in the lottery as opposed to 1, you have a better chance.
With the emergence of Huske, Curzan and a few other up and comers the USA might have a better chance of beating Australia in the 4X100FS than the 4X200FS. So deep are they in the 4X200 that they could do what they did in Beijing 2008 to win gold- swim a full B team in the heats and bring in four fresh swimmers for the final.
Getting the feeling the AUS 100m women are going to put on a similar show as the 200m women….
yes. mckeon and wilson are clearly in form this meet and have thrown down some fast 100 frees this year (mckeon a 52.29 in may), c1 is pretty consistently 52 and is big money on relays, the teens are in form this meet and c2’s times from the past 7 months are pretty much in line with 2018-19 when she was 52.8 at trials and worlds.
Why would McKeown and Titmus be fully tapered for this week? They have no competition in their events. It would be stupid to peak right now.
So it’s a little bit scary for what could happen in Tokyo.
But both women must now bear the weight of being the big favorites for the olympic games. They are no more the underdogs. Will they handle the big pressure well?
Titmus has/had some competition in the 200 free. Nowhere else really.
Titmus had competition for the win, but not really for the individual spot…
Titmus had a mountain of pressure at the 2019 WCS….200/400/800 PBs…….she is a big time performer….
I think we’d better check up on Dawn. She must be doing cartwheels . Incredible swimming girls .
Her chiropractor would be lighting up his cigars with $100 notes at that prospect !
Idk .She is looking & sounding the best for decades since Dancing With The Stars .
Let’s not forget that there are no semis at these Australian olympic trials. Unlike USA. It’s tempting to compare the times but it’s a little bit unfair to US swimmers.
McKeon gonna have to do 3 rounds of 100 fly gonna be tough when you got the Chinese McNeal and huske ( potentially curzan as well) compared to only 2 roads at trials
I see we’re rolling out the American excuses already….WOW that was earlier than expected.
which is why some Aussies didn’t need to bother with tapering fully
Why is it unfair? The only place it matters anyway is at the Olympics.
Not the first time we are impressed by Australian swims on their home soil.
Recently some of their swimmers struggled to repeat their performances in the summer.
They have changed the timing of their championships and put them close to the big meet like USA.
We’ll see if that benefits them.
Titmus, McKeown and McKeon have already proved they were big stage swimmers.
Almost all Australian gold medal chances rely on the women.
The Australian women’s 4X200 free relay looked very tough to beat before this week but right now it looks unbeatable if they are in the same shape in Tokyo. And based on what we have already seen the 100 free looks… Read more »
Still waiting to see how the Yanks handle morning finals.
Winnington 400FR, Chalmers 100FR Larkin 200IM, Zac 100Br & 4×200 Relay says hello Bobo.