Former Australian Olympic swimmer Ian Brown predicts a strong performance from the Australian swimming team will set a positive tone for other Australian athletes in other events.
Swimming at the Paris Olympics will commence on Saturday July 27th with a number of Australia’s finest swimmers set to make waves in the pool.
Australia has sent a 44-athlete strong team to Paris after the Australian qualifiers which saw numerous records shattered – boding well for medal chances in Paris.
However, rivals USA are set to put up a fight in an enthralling battle in the pool.
“At the last world championships, Australia won more gold medals than the Americans,” Brown told SportFM.
“That is the aim of the whole team, to try to get one over the Yanks.”
“They have been so dominant, for basically the whole life of the Olympics in swimming. For Australia to try and compete and actually beat a great nation like America in swimming is an outstanding achievement.
“We’ve done it in the past. It’ll be close because America does have some super champions as well.”
Australia boasts 16 Olympic medallists in its side, including Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown, Emma McKeon and Zac Stubblety Cook who will all be defending individual Olympic titles.
However, some Australian swimmers are set to face internal threats from their own camps in defending their title – a positive sign within the Australian camp.
The women’s squad in particular looks competitive with two freestyle juggernauts in Titmus and Molly O’Callaghan vying for gold after being in constant battle over the last year in the 200m freestyle event.
“There are some Americans in that arena that will be super competitive as well,” said Brown.
“Molly O’Callaghan was the previous world record holder. Ariana Titmus beat Molly in the trials and broke the world record again.
“That was a meet that was a few weeks ago now. Both of those ladies need to get up and do it again.
“I’d say the rest of the world will be looking at those two swimmers in particular. How are they going to get over the top of them?”
The Australians take the pool during the first week of the Games and will play a major role in creating a healthy starting point for Australia’s medal tally.
Brown predicts Australia could come away with ‘six or more” swimming gold medals in the first week of the Games.
“They do set a good tone for the rest of the Olympic athletes when they can see other Australian athletes performing well.
“Then we lead into the second week and then we start to get the results from some of the team events.
“It’s an exciting two weeks of sport for Australia.”
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