New Zealand’s roster is set for the 2024 Olympic Games taking place July 27th to August 4th at the Paris La Defense Arena, the largest indoor events venue in Europe.
The roster includes 9 swimmers, 5 women and 4 men, poised to improve upon the nation’s medal-less performance in Tokyo 3 years ago.
Reigning world champions Lewis Clareburt and Erika Fairweather lead the charge, with the former having won the 400m IM in Doha while the latter topped the women’s 400m free podium. Fairweather is also coming off 200m free silver and 800m free bronze at that February competition.
Seasoned swimmers Clareburt and Fairweather commented on their excitement of having been selected to their 2nd Olympic squad.
“I’m so keen to get to Paris. It’s always special getting to compete at this level, so much hard work goes on behind the scenes to prepare for the Olympics and I can’t wait to showcase it,” said Fairweather.
Clareburt stated, “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be an Olympian, let alone going to my second Games. It’s a huge privilege, I can’t wait to represent New Zealand and put the pūkana on the world stage!”
Newcomer Hazel Ouwehand will look to continue her momentum from last month’s Olympic Trials where the 24-year-old established national records in the 50m fly (25.88) and 100m fly (57.43).
“Going to the Olympics has been a dream of mine since I was super young so it’s pretty special to see it realised. I’m really excited for the Games, it’s going to be an amazing field of athletes and I can’t wait to put all my hard work and training into action,” the Phoenix Aquatics ace conveyed.
Taiko Torepe-Ormsby is another rising star to watch, with the University of Wisconsin swimmer having become the fastest Kiwi in history via the time of 21.86 he ripped in the men’s 50m free at Trials.
Name |
Club |
Coach |
|
Club 37 |
Mitch Nairn |
|
|
Caitlin Deans |
Neptune & Swim Dunedin |
Lars Humer |
|
Neptune & Swim Dunedin |
Lars Humer |
|
|
Kane Follows |
Neptune & Swim Dunedin |
Lars Humer |
|
Cameron Gray |
Coast |
Michael Weston |
|
Phoenix Aquatics |
David Lyles |
|
|
Eve Thomas |
Coast (& St Peter’s Western) |
Dean Boxall |
|
Wharenui (& University of Wisconsin) |
Cauli Bedran |
|
|
Laticia Transom |
Club 37 (& Brisbane Grammar) |
Bobby Jovanovich |
Name |
Club/Organisation |
Team Role |
|
Gary Francis |
Swimming NZ |
Team Leader |
|
Lars Humer |
Swim Dunedin |
Coach |
|
David Lyles |
Phoenix Aquatics |
Coach |
|
Mitch Nairn |
Club 37 |
Coach |
|
Michael Weston |
Coast |
Coach |
|
Matt Ingram |
HPSNZ |
Performance Analyst |
|
Graeme Maw * |
Swimming NZ |
Team Manager (Mallorca) |
|
Alex Lowen * |
Swimming NZ |
Team Physio |
|
Vijay Vallabh * |
Swimming NZ |
Team Physio |
Quotes courtesy of Swimming New Zealand.
Aimie Canny?!?
She’s South African.
More coaching and support staff than swimmers. Can’t help but wonder if New Zealand Swimming’s priorities are right?
It’s actually even right? 9 and 9?
I sort of agree with what you’re saying, but did they have any athletes that could’ve gone that isn’t? I can’t think of anyone. Could they leave a coach home and invest that money into better training opportunities? I guess, but the $4k(?) that would save them wouldn’t go very far.
Helena Gasson would be the one who made a time but isn’t selected.
A bunch of the staff are for the pre-camp not for the games themselves (the asterisks). HPSNZ provide whole NZ Team support staff at the games.
Swimswam, I have an idea for you, make an interview with Igor Polyansky. He is legend of this sport, world record holder multiple times, world champion and Olympic champion. In the 90-s he immigrated with his family to New Zealand and now is a swimming coach there. I think Paul Kingsman, in 1988 Olympics in Seoul Polyansky won 200 back and NZ backstroker Kingsman finished third, helped him with this life-changing move. But you can ask him all sorts of different question, from battles with David Berkoff and revolution in the backstroke to state doping in Soviet Union. Also very interesting are his views about Soviet sports system compared to Australian and NZ system.