Australian swimmers face up to brutal reality in toughest ever Olympic qualifying bid | Nicole Jeffery

18/04/2024 05:40

There are six women who have won Olympic or world titles or world championship medals vying for just two coveted spots in the 100m freestyle team for Paris

Coach Michael Bohl is delivering a stark message to Australia's most decorated Olympian, Emma McKeon, as June's Paris Olympic trials approach. Such is the unprecedented strength and depth of the women's 100m freestyle in Australia that unless McKeon is at her absolute best, she may not qualify to defend her Olympic 100m freestyle title in July.

Bohl expects a time under 52 seconds will be required to secure one of two individual places in the Australian team for the 100m freestyle. McKeon won the gold medal in Tokyo in 51.96 seconds, an Olympic record and the second fastest time in history. Only two women have ever broken 52 seconds and Bohl has told his highest-profile charge, "there's a risk that you won't make it".