An elite squad of 27 Para-swimmers is poised to represent Australia with distinction at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games from July 28 to August 8, with the Team Members being revealed today at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.
The squad included Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship holders, Ashleigh McConnell OAM and Col Pearse.
Birmingham 2022 Australian Team Chef de Mission Petria Thomas OAM praised the line-up of outstanding swimmers selected to represent the green and gold in Birmingham.
“Congratulations to the first 27 swimming Team Members who have been selected to the Australian Commonwealth Games team for the Birmingham Games,” Thomas said.
“After a successful Tokyo Paralympics campaign, our Dolphins have continued the hard work towards the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and today’s selections are a result of their commitment to their swimming.
“This is an exciting squad who are ready to take on the best swimmers from across the Commonwealth. The squad possesses a wonderful mix of veterans, including Blake Cochrane who becomes the first Para-Dolphin to be selected to four Commonwealth Games, through to the 16 Commonwealth Games debutants who will bring vigour and excitement to the team.
“The Commonwealth Games have been an important milestone in the careers of many of our swimmers, myself included when I won my first international gold medal at the Victoria 1994 Commonwealth Games.
“I am sure these 27 swimmers will cherish the opportunity to compete in the green and gold, and I know they will perform in a way that continues the proud legacy of the Australian Dolphins at the Commonwealth Games.”
Swimming Australia CEO Eugénie Buckley congratulated the swimmers on their selection.
“We are immensely proud of these athletes selected to compete in Birmingham,” Buckley said.
“Whether it’s your first time or your fourth, any opportunity to represent Australia on the international stage is a privilege and one I know this group will relish.
“Our athletes have played a central role in the rich history of success of Para-sport at the Commonwealth Games and it’s a record I’m sure they will add to in Birmingham.”
Commonwealth Games Australia and Swimming Australia will announce the selection of up to three more Team Members in the coming weeks, pending classification review.
The full Australian swimming contingent for Birmingham will be completed with the announcement of the able-bodied swimmers following the Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide from 18-22 May.
