Argentina’s Agostina Hein Quickly Moving Toward Superstar Status
The last time a South American woman medaled in the pool at a full-fledged international competition (Olympic Games/World Championships) was 2019. In Gwangju, South Korea, Brazil’s Etiene Medeiros claimed the silver medal in the 50-meter backstroke, clocking 27.44 to finish behind the United States’ Olivia Smoliga (27.33). In the seven years since, podium appearances have proven elusive.
A teenager is looking to alter recent history.
Last month, Argentina’s Agostina Hein wrapped up the Mare Nostrum Series in Europe with a pair of high-quality performances. In addition to breaking the national record in the 400 freestyle (4:02.99), Hein turned in a time of 4:35.62 in the 400 individual medley, her prime event. It was the latest impressive showing from Hein, an 18-year-old who holds seven Argentine records in the long-course pool.
Hein is hardly an unknown to those well-versed in the sport. At the 2024 Olympics in Paris, she gained valuable experience by racing the 400 freestyle and 800 freestyle, and that appearance was followed by competition at the 2025 World Junior Championships. In Otopeni, Romania, Hein established meet and South American records (4:34.34) when she captured the gold medal in the 400 IM. She added a silver medal in the 800 freestyle, going 8:26.19. She has since lowered that time to 8:22.01, good for a national standard.
Hein’s multi-event talent has emerged as a calling card, and that skill is expected to be on display this summer at the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California. The competition, being held for the first time since 2018, will offer Hein the opportunity to battle some of the top names in the sport. Although the 400 IM figures to be her main event at Pan Pacs, Hein is also likely to line up for the 200 medley, where she owns the South American record at 2:10.63.
The 400 IM has previously witnessed an Argentine athlete excel on the global stage, as Georgina Bardach won the bronze medal in the event at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Hein is clearly moving in a direction that should make her a medal contender in the event at LA28.
The Agostina Hein File (Top Times)
200 Freestyle – 1:58.79
400 Freestyle – 4:02.99
800 Freestyle – 8:22.01
1500 Freestyle – 16:14.19
100 Butterfly – 58.96
200 Butterfly – 2:10.95
200 Medley – 2:10.63
400 Medley – 4:34.34