Paralympics Australia Names Swimming Team For Paris 2024 Games

The thirty swimmers selected to represent Australia at the Paris Paralympic Games are a blend of some of the most exciting, experienced and successful swimmers to ever feature on an Australian Paralympic Team.  

The squad is spearheaded by two long-serving favourites, three-time gold medallist Brenden Hall, who will equal an Australian Para-swimming record fifth Games appearance, and Ahmed Kelly, who earned selection for his fourth Paralympic Games. Kelly’s great friend Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson is also off to his fourth Games and, at 35, is the most senior member of the team.

At the other end of the scale has been the thrilling emergence of freestyle sprinter Alexa Leary, who will compete at her first Paralympic Games alongside seven other debutants, while Lakeisha Patterson and Rachael Watson will each pursue a third consecutive Paralympic gold medal in their respective pet-events.

The swimming team for Paris was introduced by Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin at the completion of the Australian Swimming Trials for Para-athletes in Brisbane on Friday night.

“Australia has had huge success in Paralympic swimming, from the first Games in 1960 in Rome, where the late Daphne Hilton won the country’s very first gold medal in the sport,” McLoughlin said. 

“Australian swimmers have won 453 medals, including 136 gold, 160 silver and 157 bronze. We sit fifth on the all-time gold medal tally and third in total medals behind only Great Britain and the US.

“In Tokyo, our swimmers brought home 33 medals, including eight gold, setting the tone for the wider Australian Paralympic Team. When our swimming team does well, Australia does well.

“We’ll have another strong team of swimmers representing us in Paris and I know they’ll be prepared and determined to give their absolute best as they go after their goals.”

Paris campaign head coach Greg Towle said it had been a fantastic week of racing.

“We have witnessed many brilliant swims this week, headlined by Tim Hodge’s world record in the 200m individual medley,” Towle said.

“The team is made up of youth and experience with Brenden Hall going into his fifth Paralympics Ahmed Kelly his fourth Paralympics. I’m particularly excited to see our rookies stepping up on to the international stage, led by newcomers Alexa Leary and Callum Simpson who bring a new energy and excitement to the group.

“I am proud of all the athletes and coaches selected for this team and I look forward to the opportunities that lay ahead. I’m confident this united group will combine to achieve their best and perform on the world stage in two months’ time.”

The swimming team will stay in Chartres, about 90 kilometres south-west of Paris, for their staging camp from August 12 before the Paralympic Games begins on August 28.  

Australian Paralympic Swimming Team for Paris 2024:
Jesse Aungles, Emily Beecroft, Ricky Betar, Lewis Bishop, Rowan Crothers,  Katja Dedekind, Tom Gallagher, Jasmine Greenwood, Brenden Hall, Benjamin Hance, Timothy Hodge, Jack Ireland, Ella Jones, Jenna Jones, Ahmed Kelly, Alexa Leary, Paige Leonhardt, Maddie McTernan, Jake Michel, Chloe Osborn, Grant Patterson, Lakeisha Patterson, Col Pearse, Alex Saffy, Callum Simpson, Keira Stephens, Ruby Storm, Holly Warn, Rachael Watson, Poppy Wilson.

By Paralympics Australia.

Published 14 June, 2024.