The boy from the Blue Mountains\u00a0Matthew Wilson<\/strong> wore the biggest smile on the pool deck in Adelaide earning inclusion in the\u00a0 35-strong Australian Olympic Swim Team<\/strong> for Tokyo – after missing automatic qualification.<\/p>\n

Wilson was nominated to the Team under Swimming Australia\u2019s selection policy under extenuating circumstances, with a family bereavement disrupting Wilson\u2019s trial performance and preparation.<\/p>\n

Images of a shattered Wilson, the 21-year-old former world record-holder from Berala, finished second in the 200m breaststroke – missing the automatic qualifying time in the final earlier in the week – and after winning the Rio Trial at 17 years of age five years ago and missing the team.<\/p>\n

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Bronte Campbell & Matthew Wilson; Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr\/SAL<\/p><\/div>\n
He said:<\/p>\n
“I\u2019m still trying to wrap my head around it quite honestly.<\/p>\n
“Twenty-four hours ago I didn\u2019t think I was going to be on this Olympic team. I was getting ready to plan my break.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s funny, sport. It\u2019s been such a rollercoaster 24 hours.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019m just stoked to be here and hopefully I can repay the faith for Tokyo.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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“The last couple of weeks have been really tough and I\u2019m glad I could make the team for my late grandmother. I\u2019m sure she\u2019d be proud of me.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Wilson had been distraught after initially appearing to miss out when his swim of 2:08.52 was inside the FINA ‘A’ cut but shy of the Australian qualification time of 2:08.28.<\/p>\n
Two-time Olympic medallist Mitch Larkin<\/strong>, who has been selected for the 100 back and 200IM, said<\/p>\n
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“It was heartbreaking. Every athlete on the pool deck certainly felt it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI actually didn’t know he was selected until the team was announced and then sort of seeing his smile in the same room and then obviously the tears followed shortly after.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s pretty raw emotion. I guess it summarises the rollercoaster we do go on as athletes it’s the reason why we swim.<\/p>\n
“You can see the passion, the pride. It makes it well for us to be selected as Olympic team. And, you know, I’m sure he’s going to be great for us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor<\/strong> explained:<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe got informed yesterday that there was some extenuating circumstances that we needed to look into and we did.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a discussion as a selection panel last night and we determined based on the fact that we’ve got a former world record-holder who won a world silver medal not that long ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a performance point of view, he can add value and wanted to give him the opportunity to add value to the team. So that was a decision made using that within the selection criteria.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
Wilson is part of a powerhouse 35-strong team for Tokyo announced by the Australian Olympic Committee at the conclusion of the nomination trials.<\/p>\n
Emily Seebohm<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Cate Campbell<\/strong>\u00a0join legend Leisel Jones<\/strong> as the only Australian swimmers to ever make four Olympic Games, with the team also including three athletes named to their third Olympics, nine to their second and 21 debutants.<\/p>\n
The team selection follows a blistering week of racing, which saw a world record in the 100m backstroke from\u00a0Kaylee McKeown<\/strong>, Commonwealth records by McKeown (200m Backstroke),\u00a0Ariarne Titmus<\/strong> (200m and 400m Freestyle) and\u00a0Zac Stubblety-Cook<\/strong>\u00a0(200m Breaststroke) and a host of Australian records.<\/p>\n
FULL TEAM IN TABLE BELOW.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>FULL ATHLETE BIOS AVAILABLE HERE<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman<\/strong> said tonight\u2019s announcement was a great milestone for all 35 athletes.<\/p>\n
\u201cTonight\u2019s selection caps a special week in the pool, with exceptional achievements from our athletes,\u201d Mr Chesterman said. \u201cSwimming has such an incredible Olympic history for our country and this Team is ready to build on that legacy with their own inspiring performances in Tokyo.<\/p>\n
\u201cCongratulations to all of the athletes, the coaches, support staff, friends and family who have been there every step of the way to help them realise their Olympic dream.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to highlight Cate Campbell<\/strong> and Emily Seebohm<\/strong> in particular \u2013 achieving a feat of four Olympic Games, only reached by one Australian swimmer in history, is testament to their persistence, character and talent and I am thrilled to have such fantastic ambassadors on the Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo.”<\/p>\n
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Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr\/SAL<\/p><\/div>\n
Taylor congratulated the athletes on their selection, saying:<\/p>\n
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\u201cI\u2019ve been really pleased with the performances this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so great to be able to get back to a full meet like this and see our team perform so well. This is a strong team, and I\u2019m particularly pleased with the strength of our relays, it shows the fantastic depth in this squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting selected to the Olympic Games is a real team effort. These athletes have great support behind them, congratulations and thank you to the coaches, support staff and supporters who have helped make this happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a big five weeks ahead of us.<\/p>\n
“Now it\u2019s about preparing our athletes for what they\u2019ll experience and get them ready to perform on the biggest stage in the world in Tokyo.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Australian Olympic Swimming Team for Tokyo<\/strong><\/p>\n
WOMEN<\/strong><\/p>\n
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Bronte Campbell (NSW): Relay<\/li>\n
Cate Campbell (NSW): 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle<\/li>\n
Ariarne Titmus (QLD) \u2013 200m freestyle, 400m, 800m freestyle<\/li>\n
Tamsin Cook (WA)\u2013 400m freestyle<\/li>\n
Jessica Hansen (ACT)\u2013 100m breaststroke<\/li>\n
Madeleine Gough (QLD) \u2013 1500m freestyle<\/li>\n
Meg Harris (QLD) \u2013 Relay<\/li>\n
Abbey Harkin (QLD) \u2013 200m breaststroke<\/li>\n
Chelsea Hodges (QLD) \u2013 100m breaststroke<\/li>\n
Emma McKeon (QLD) \u2013 100m, 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly<\/li>\n
Kaylee McKeown (QLD) \u2013 100m, 200m backstroke, 200m medley<\/li>\n
Jenna Strauch (QLD) \u2013 200m breaststroke<\/li>\n
Brianna Throssell (WA)\u2013 200m butterfly<\/li>\n
Kiah Melverton (QLD) \u2013 800m, 1500m freestyle<\/li>\n
Emily Seebohm (QLD) \u2013 100m backstroke<\/li>\n
Madi Wilson (SA)\u2013 Relay<\/li>\n
Mollie O\u2019Callaghan (QLD) \u2013 Relay<\/li>\n
Leah Neale (QLD) \u2013 Relay<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
MEN<\/strong><\/p>\n
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Kyle Chalmers (SA)\u2013 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle<\/li>\n
Elijah Winnington (QLD) \u2013 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle<\/li>\n
Jack McLoughlin (QLD) \u2013 400m, 800m freestyle, 1500m freestyle<\/li>\n
Mitch Larkin (QLD) \u2013 100m backstroke, 200m individual medley<\/li>\n
Tristan Hollard (QLD) \u2013 200m backstroke<\/li>\n
Zac Stubblety-Cook (QLD) \u2013 200m breaststroke<\/li>\n
Matt Temple (VIC)\u2013 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly<\/li>\n
Brendon Smith (VIC)\u2013 400m individual medley<\/li>\n
David Morgan (QLD) \u2013 200 butterfly<\/li>\n
Se-Bom Lee (NSW)\u2013 400m individual medley<\/li>\n
Cam McEvoy (QLD) \u2013 Relay<\/li>\n
Zac Incerti (WA)\u2013 Relay<\/li>\n
Tommy Neill (QLD) \u2013 Relay<\/li>\n
Alexander Graham (QLD) \u2013 Relay<\/li>\n
Mack Horton (QLD) \u2013 Relay<\/li>\n
Matt Wilson (QLD) \u2013 Relay<\/li>\n
Isaac Cooper (QLD) \u2013 Relay<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
COACHES:<\/strong><\/p>\n
Head Coach:<\/strong>\u00a0Rohan Taylor.<\/p>\n
Coaches:<\/strong>\u00a0Simon Cusack, Chris Nesbit, Chris Mooney, Dean Boxall, Michael Bohl, Peter Bishop, Mick Palfrey, Wayne Lawes, Vince Raleigh<\/p>\n
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