Latest news with #post-Olympics
Kuwait Times
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
New-look Australia swim team use worlds to build towards LA 2028
New-look Australia swim team use worlds to build towards LA 2028 SYDNEY: Seasoned campaigners Kaylee McKeown and Kyle Chalmers spearhead a young Australia squad for the world championships in Singapore as the swimming powerhouse undergoes a post-Olympics changing of the guard. Since Paris, where Australia won seven golds to the eight by the United States, several big names have either retired or are resting. Australia's most successful Olympian, Emma McKeon, has hung up her goggles as have other stalwarts including Mitch Larkin, Brianna Throssell and Jenna Strauch. Four-time Olympic gold medalist Ariarne Titmus — who lost her 400m freestyle world record to Canadian Summer McIntosh last month — is on an extended break. That has opened the door for 10 debutants to make the Australia squad for the World Aquatic Championships, where the action in the pool begins on Sunday. Head coach Rohan Taylor characterized Singapore as the beginning of a new cycle building to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and a key learning experience for Australia's next potential superstars. 'I am excited by what this team can do over the next four years,' said Taylor. 'This is the beginning of the third Olympic campaign I have been the head coach for, and this team has a strong nucleus in place. The end goal is LA, but to be great in LA this very young team, which boasts 10 rookies, is going to learn what is needed on the global stage in Singapore.' Eleven of the squad are aged 20 or under. At just 16, Sienna Toohey has Australian fans most excited after she came from nowhere to qualify for the 50m and 100m breaststroke. Australia also have high hopes for fellow newcomers such as Hannah Fredericks (200m backstroke) and Ben Goedemans (800m freestyle), while Ella Ramsay, 21, will contest four events. The experienced core of the squad is led by Paris Olympics 50m freestyle champion Cameron McEvoy, who will be at his seventh world championships. His close friend Chalmers — who has won medals in the 100m free at three consecutive Olympics including gold on debut in Rio 2016 — toyed with packing up swimming after Paris, but a new coach has rejuvenated him. Scintillating form He was in scintillating form at the trials, qualifying in speedy times for the 50m and 100m freestyle, and the 50m butterfly. 'I'm just trusting what I have been doing in training, listening to what my coaches are telling me, trusting that we've done the work,' said Chalmers, who has won 12 world championship medals, including five golds. The women are headlined by McKeown, who successfully defended her 100m and 200m backstroke titles in Paris. She will also swim the 50m in Singapore — an event added to the Olympic program in 2028 — looking to emulate the treble she won at the 2023 world championships. Like McKeown, Olympic 200m champion Mollie O'Callaghan has been open about her struggles mentally after the high of Paris, where she achieved her dreams with three golds, a silver and a bronze. She has refocused and is a gold-medal prospect in both the 100m and 200m freestyle. Fast-rising teenager Olivia Wunsch is Australia's other women's 100m freestyle entrant, also qualifying for the 50m free alongside Olympic silver medalist Meg Harris. Lani Pallister has taken giant strides since the Olympics and had a breakthrough trials. She became only the third woman to swim under 15min 40sec in the 1500m freestyle behind American great Katie Ledecky and the retired Dane Lottie Friis. Pallister also shattered Titmus's 800m national record and went under four minutes for the first time in the 400m. 'I think I've shown what I can do and I'm excited to build on it — I don't think this is my limit,' she said. — AFP
eNCA
a day ago
- Sport
- eNCA
New-look Australia swim team use worlds to build towards LA 2028
Seasoned campaigners Kaylee McKeown and Kyle Chalmers spearhead a young Australia squad for the world championships in Singapore as the swimming powerhouse undergoes a post-Olympics changing of the guard. Since Paris, where Australia won seven golds to the eight by the United States, several big names have either retired or are resting. Australia's most successful Olympian, Emma McKeon, has hung up her goggles as have other stalwarts including Mitch Larkin, Brianna Throssell and Jenna Strauch. Four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus -- who lost her 400m freestyle world record to Canadian Summer McIntosh last month -- is on an extended break. That has opened the door for 10 debutants to make the Australia squad for the World Aquatic Championships, where the action in the pool begins on Sunday. Head coach Rohan Taylor characterised Singapore as the beginning of a new cycle building to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and a key learning experience for Australia's next potential superstars. "I am excited by what this team can do over the next four years," said Taylor. "This is the beginning of the third Olympic campaign I have been the head coach for, and this team has a strong nucleus in place. "The end goal is LA, but to be great in LA this very young team, which boasts 10 rookies, is going to learn what is needed on the global stage in Singapore." Eleven of the squad are aged 20 or under. At just 16, Sienna Toohey has Australian fans most excited after she came from nowhere to qualify for the 50m and 100m breaststroke. Australia also have high hopes for fellow newcomers such as Hannah Fredericks (200m backstroke) and Ben Goedemans (800m freestyle), while Ella Ramsay, 21, will contest four events. The experienced core of the squad is led by Paris Olympics 50m freestyle champion Cameron McEvoy, who will be at his seventh world championships. His close friend Chalmers -- who has won medals in the 100m free at three consecutive Olympics including gold on debut in Rio 2016 -- toyed with packing up swimming after Paris, but a new coach has rejuvenated him. - Scintillating form - He was in scintillating form at the trials, qualifying in speedy times for the 50m and 100m freestyle, and the 50m butterfly. "I'm just trusting what I have been doing in training, listening to what my coaches are telling me, trusting that we've done the work," said Chalmers, who has won 12 world championship medals, including five golds. The women are headlined by McKeown, who successfully defended her 100m and 200m backstroke titles in Paris. She will also swim the 50m in Singapore -- an event added to the Olympic programme in 2028 -- looking to emulate the treble she won at the 2023 world championships. AFP | DAVID GRAY Like McKeown, Olympic 200m champion Mollie O'Callaghan has been open about her struggles mentally after the high of Paris, where she achieved her dreams with three golds, a silver and a bronze. She has refocused and is a gold-medal prospect in both the 100m and 200m freestyle. Fast-rising teenager Olivia Wunsch is Australia's other women's 100m freestyle entrant, also qualifying for the 50m free alongside Olympic silver medallist Meg Harris. Lani Pallister has taken giant strides since the Olympics and had a breakthrough trials. She became only the third woman to swim under 15min 40sec in the 1500m freestyle behind American great Katie Ledecky and the retired Dane Lottie Friis. Pallister also shattered Titmus's 800m national record and went under four minutes for the first time in the 400m. "I think I've shown what I can do and I'm excited to build on it -- I don't think this is my limit," she said. By Martin Parry
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Deans confident on eve of world champs
Relaxed looks good on Caitlin Deans. The Dunedin swimmer had a national championships to remember in May when she swam four personal-best times, collected four medals and shattered an Otago record. She claimed bronze in the women's freestyle 200m and 400m, silver in the 800m and gold in the 1500m, slashing nearly 6sec off the Otago record she set in April with a time of 16min 12.18sec. It punched her ticket to her fourth long-course world championships in Singapore as part of a 12-strong New Zealand team. The Paris Olympian will compete in the 800m and 1500m at the meeting which gets under way on Sunday. She also swam under the world qualifying time for the 400m but only two athletes from each country can swim in an event at the world championships. "Really excited to be heading off to my fourth world champs," Deans said. "I don't think the excitement ever dulls, no matter how many times you've been before." Heading into the national championships, Deans had no expectation of where she would finish and was taken aback by her results. "Honestly, it took me by surprise. "I didn't quite expect to be hitting the times that I did at nationals, so I think that gave me a lot of confidence leading up to this meet and confidence in getting a good training block under my belt before worlds." Maybe taking the pressure off suits the 25-year-old. "Nothing that I can think of that was any different. "Probably just more relaxed than usual, because it was my first time having a big break post-Olympics out of the water. "Not having that expectation on myself about how I was going to go probably plays a part in it." Deans made history during her first Olympic campaign. She was part of the women's 4x200m freestyle relay team in Paris alongside former Dunedin swimmer Erika Fairweather, Eve Thomas and Laticia Transom. They were the first Kiwi women's relay team to make an Olympic final, finishing eighth in a stacked field. "Going to the Olympics was pretty surreal. It's something that I've dreamed of since I was a little kid, so to actually fulfil that ... I don't think it's sunk in and I'm not sure if it ever will. "The Olympics is just something else. It's so different to anything else we do, and to experience that is something I'll be forever grateful for." That experience, alongside having raced at three previous world championships, helps the long-distance specialist as she dives into the pool. "It definitely helps and plays a big part. "The more exposure you can get to the international racing scene, the better, and it starts to normalise those big names. "Obviously having an Olympics under the belt helps with that." Working alongside experienced Dunedin coach Lars Humer also helped her development. "Lars bring with him a lot of experience. Obviously I've worked with him for a long time now, so I'm very lucky." Deans is looking forward to putting her best foot forward at the world championships and getting back to racing, not just for herself but for her support network. "I've had a lot of people support me in multiple different ways to get to this world champs, whether it's been their time, or financially, all the work that they've put in to help me get there. "I'm just hoping I can do them, and myself, really proud." Auckland-based Fairweather, the defending women's freestyle 400m world champion, will also race in Singapore, alongside Olympian Lewis Clareburt. Olympian Hazel Ouwehand qualified in the butterfly but made herself unavailable.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Penguins' loyalty shattered? Sidney Crosby reportedly eyed for post-Olympics move to Montreal
Rumours persist about Sidney Crosby possibly leaving the Penguins, even though he's under contract. The chatter's gotten louder with Evgeni Malkin's deal ending soon and Greg Wyshynski suggesting Crosby might bail if the team struggles. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But here's the thing: insider Frank Seravalli says Crosby isn't actually looking to move. Sidney Crosby exit drama intensifies as Canadiens insiders predict blockbuster post-Olympics deal The hockey world is buzzing about Sidney Crosby's future with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Even though his contract runs through the 2026-27 season and he's expressed wanting to retire as a Penguin, recent rumors are fueling up. A big reason? Longtime teammate Evgeni Malkin's $24.4 million contract is in its final year, adding to the skepticism. Malkin himself had opined back in 2022, 'If this team wants new blood and young guys and they say to me to move on, we will see.' Adding to the discourse, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski, contemplating the Penguins' potential performance in the upcoming season, ominously predicted on The Sheet, 'If the Penguins get off to the start that we assume they're going to get off to…I think he moves on before the end of the season, that's my prediction. ' Turns out, insider Frank Seravalli probed the brakes on the Crosby trade talks. He told Bleacher Report on July 15 that, 'I think there's been some teams, or a short list, Montreal, LA Kings, Avalanche, those are the teams have been talked about, but he hasn't shown any interest… in moving.' This fits Crosby's typical calm, as he said about retirement, 'I don't think about it a whole lot. I just try to prepare for the next one. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now ' NHL insiders hint at ugly end to Penguins legend's era Some of the teams on Seravalli's list have really caught the eye of fans and analysts. The Colorado Avalanche, for illustration, seems like a strong fit because of Crosby's friendship with fellow national team member Nathan MacKinnon. Nevertheless, MacKinnon recently shot down those ideas, calling them 'fake news'. Still, ESPN's Wyshynski, always with a strong opinion, phrased on The Sheet, 'I've long believed he'll end his career in Montreal,' adding, 'I always assumed if it wasn't Pittsburgh, it was going to be Montreal, that's kind of where I'm at with it; the Colorado thing is sort of like a pipedream.' What's more, NHL insider Nick Kypreos went on record, telling Justin Bourne and Sam MacKee, 'Wait till they [Montreal Canadiens] get Sid Crosby after the [2026 Milan Cortina] Olympics. I'm liking the odds a little better than I did maybe a few weeks ago.' Despite these pervasive discussions, Crosby currently remains a Penguin, as Seravalli indicated. Also Read: Despite all the chatter and what some folks are predicting, it really seems like Sidney Crosby is set on staying right where he is with the Penguins, at least for now.
West Australian
08-07-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro not worrying about limited contact time in lead-up to AFC Women's Asian Cup
Just under eight months separates Joe Montemurro's Matildas from the Women's Asian Cup on home soil — more accurately, it equates to two international windows and four games. But having signed off his first window in charge with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Panama at HBF Park on Tuesday night, Montemurro was adamant it was more than enough time to adequately prepare the Matildas for a title tilt. Sans eight players who would be considered first choice, Australia overcame a resolute Panama thanks to two Michelle Heyman goals — both assisted by Hayley Raso's right foot — and a late Charli Grant goal. Australia were without a coach for 10 months after Tony Gustavsson's post-Olympics departure and while the hesitancy to pull the trigger on a replacement eventually allowed Football Australia to secure Montemurro, it has left him with limited time to prepare for a pivotal tournament. 'I've had less time to prepare teams for big tournaments. It is what it is, I can't change it,' Montemurro said. 'But the reality is, we've created enough these last 20 days, to really have a base of the underpinning group that that can go away and now understand what it is to be part of the squad for the Asian Cup.' With the Matildas set to return to Perth to kick-off their Asian Cup campaign on March 1, attention now turns to the October and November windows, which will give more of an idea into Montemurro's squad composition for next year's tournament. Montemurro said ideally, Australia will play European opposition in the run-in to minimise travel for his squad, most of whom are based on the continent. For the looming Asian Cup, Matildas should regain Sam Kerr, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Clare Wheeler, Katrina Gorry and hopefully Mary Fowler, while Ellie Carpenter, Alanna Kennedy, Mackenzie Arnold and Kyra Cooney-Cross all left the current camp after the first two games against Slovenia. The fluctuating personnel between matches caused problems for the Matildas, who showed only glimpses of the fluid, possession-based game Montemurro has demanded of them. Despite the win over Panama, the 55 year-old was quick to bemoan his side's mistakes and admonished them for not realising they only had 10 players on the pitch when they turned the ball over and Panama equalised in the 82nd minute. 'We fell into the trap of wanting to rush the play when we needed to slow it down, and slowing it down when we needed to go quick,' he said. 'That caused a lot of technical errors, because people weren't in position at the right time, weren't in their right zones at the right time and every time we turned the ball over, Panama looked like they were going to hurt us. 'We put ourselves in in trouble a few times, and I was a little bit disappointed because there were things I thought we got rid of over the last three games.' But on the whole, Montemurro said there were plenty of positives to work with and take into the October window. 'They're an amazing bunch of athletes that really love representing their country and love being in camp, that's the first thing,' he said. 'The second thing was to instill a direction through a base of what we believe will be a team that will win major tournaments. 'We've taken away a lot of tactical snippets, we now know where we need to solve problems because the opposition were tricky.'
