Two reigning world champions lead nine-strong New Zealand team for Paris 2024.
New Zealand has named a team of seven individual and two relay swimmers for Paris 2024. The island nation is chasing its first medalware in the Olympic pool since Danyon Loader’s dual gold medals in the 200m and 400m Freestyle at Atlanta 1996.
The team will be headlined by current world champions Lewis Clareburt and Erika Fairweather with both athletes named for the second Olympic Games of their careers.
Twenty-four-year-old Clareburt has enjoyed a breakout few months in the competition pool after moving his training base from the nation’s capital to Auckland-based team Club 37 under coach Mitch Nairn. His debut world title in the Men’s 400m Individual Medley at Doha 2024 was New Zealand’s first male gold medal at a World Aquatic Championships, and in Paris he will line up against hometown favourite Leon Marchand in what will be one of the highlight events over the opening two days of racing.
Clareburt celebrated his gold medal in Doha with a ‘pūkana’, a traditional Maori celebration that holds cultural significance to the indigenous people of New Zealand. On being named for Paris 2024 Clareburt told media that he was looking forward to celebrating his Maori heritage on the world stage once more.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be an Olympian, let alone going to my second Games,” said Clareburt.
“It’s a huge privilege, I can’t wait to represent New Zealand and put the pūkana on the world stage!”
Clareburt will race both the Men’s 200m Individual Medley & 400m Individual Medley in the French capital and has also been granted permission by Swimming New Zealand to start the Men’s 200m Butterfly.
Fellow reigning world champion Erika Fairweather is the other standout swimmer on the New Zealand team with the twenty-year old enjoying a breakout twelve months under coach Lars Humer. Her win in the Women’s 400m Freestyle at Doha 2024 was not only special for being the first-ever New Zealand gold medal at a World Aquatics Championships, it was also another sub-four minute time for the kiwi that moved her up to fifth all-time in that event.
Fairweather told media at the Paris team announcement that she was ready to once again take on the best swimmers in the world.
“I’m so keen to get to Paris,” said Fairweather.
“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.”
Fairweather will race the Women’s 200m Freestyle, 400m Frestyle and 800m Freestyle in Paris, as well as the Women’s 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay.
Tokyo Olympian Eve Thomas will swim alongside Fairweather in the Women’s 400m Freestyle & 800m Freestyle with the Coast club swimmer who trains in Australia with Dean Boxall at St Peter’s Western also lining up in the Women’s 1500m Freestyle.
The three returning Olympians will be joined by six debutants who recorded qualifying times at the New Zealand Swimming Championships last month.
Twenty-four-year-old Hazel Ouwehand, who first competed for the ‘Aqua Blacks’ at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) at Hangzhou 2018, is enjoying a career-resurgence at present. Ouwehand’s 57.43 in the Women’s 100m Butterfly was more than a second under her career-best and an all-time New Zealand open record.
The Phoenix Aquatics swimmer who trains under coach David Lyles said making the Olympic team was a dream come true.
“Going to the Olympics has been a dream of mine since I was super young so it’s pretty special to see it realised,” said Ouwehand.
“I’m really excited for the Games. It’s going to be an amazing field of athletes, and I can’t wait to put all my hard work and training into action.”
Twenty-seven-year-old Kane Follows has also had a long wait for his first Olympics start with his sole previous Aqua Blacks appearance at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) at Melbourne 2022.
“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,” Follows told media at the Olympic team announcement.
“Sport is a lot of ups and downs but it’s all worth it for this feeling.”
Follows will swim the Men’s 200m Backstroke at Paris 2024 and will be joined by sprinters Taiko Torepe-Ormsby and Cameron Gray who will start the 50m Freestyle and 100m Freestyle respectively.
The team is rounded out by the addition of two relay swimmers, Caitlin Deans and Laticia-Leigh Transom, who will combine with Fairweather and Thomas for a rare New Zealand relay at an international level meet.