A long-awaited moment for the nation's elite swimmers, the 2021 Australian Swimming Trials kicks off in Adelaide at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre from tomorrow, 12 June.
As the pinnacle domestic event for swimming in Australia, athletes will vie for the chance to represent the country and pull on the green and gold at the Games in Tokyo later this year.
It is the third time the Olympic/Paralympic qualification event has been staged in Adelaide, and one South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said the agency is proud to support.
"We're delighted to see this event in Adelaide at our incredible SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre and cheer on our elite swimmers in their final hit out before the Olympics and Paralympics," said Mr Harrex.
"While we have a soft spot for our South Australian swimmers - Kyle Chalmers and Maddie Wilson, Jesse Aungles and Travis Mahoney among others - and hope to see SA represented at the Games, I wish all those competing the very best.
"South Australia has in recent weeks also hosted the Olympic trials for our rowing and paddling teams - and now we welcome 600 swimmers and their families, coaches and supporters. With this event watched from some 240 odd countries, this is a fantastic coup for not only for these athletes but for SA."
The Australian Swimming Trials is an unmissable event for all fans of sport, with six nights of scintillating racing. Thanks to Swimming Australia's broadcast partner, all 67 events will be streamed live and exclusively on Amazon Prime Video globally, at no additional costs to members.
Coming off strong performances at the recent Australian Championships in April, Rio silver medallist, Mitch Larkin (St Peters Western), Commonwealth record holder Kaylee McKeown and 2016 Olympic gold medallist, Emma McKeon (Griffith University), will feature in the program, as well as hometown hero and defending 100m freestyle champ, Kyle Chalmers (Marion).
National Head Coach of the Olympic program, Rohan Taylor, said he can't wait to see what the athletes will produce when they take to the blocks this weekend.
"I honestly can't wait for the racing to start in Adelaide on Saturday, it's been a long time coming and the athletes are raring to go," Taylor said.
"The past 12 months and the lead up to the Australian Swimming Trials has no doubt been a challenging time for our swimmers and coaches, but I'm proud of the way they have learnt to adapt and gain yet another level of resilience, which will ultimately help them in these moments"
The team announcements will take place in the evening following the racing on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 June, with the para athletes unveiled first.
The 2021 Australian Swimming Trials begin on Saturday 12 June with heats commencing from 10:00am (ACST) and finals starting at 7:00pm (ACST).
The 2021 Australian Swimming Trials is proudly supported by the SA Government through the South Australian Tourism Commission's Events South Australia.
More details: swimming.org.au
