World champions Lewis Clareburt and Erika Fairweather have been named for their second Olympic Games, the pair announced today in the nine-strong swim team that will compete in Paris in July.
“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 Clareburt.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be an Olympian, let alone going to my second Games - I can’t wait to represent New Zealand and put the pūkana on the world stage."
Clareburt won the 400m individual medley at this year’s Swimming World Championships in Doha, while Fairweather picked up her title in the 400m freestyle, as well as winning silver in the 200m free and bronze in the 800m free.
They’re joined by fellow Tokyo Olympian Eve Thomas, as well as six other athletes who will make their Olympic debuts after achieving qualification times at the New Zealand Swimming Championships earlier this month.
Hazel Ouwehand (women’s 100m butterfly), Cameron Gray (men’s 100m freestyle), Taiko Torepe-Ormsby (men’s 50m freestyle), Caitlin Deans (women’s 4x200m freestyle relay), Laticia Leigh Transom (women’s 4x200m freestyle relay) and Kane Follows (men’s 200m backstroke).
It's a special moment for Follows - the 27-year-old has never previously made the national team.
The Dunedin swimmer has always been on the cusp of selection but will make his international representative debut at the Paris Games
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“This has been a grind, I’ve missed a lot of teams but I’ve stuck at it, I’ve given so much to the sport and it feels so good to get this result,” said Follows.
“Sport is a lot of ups and downs but it’s all worth it for this feeling.”
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