Before the Olympics were open to women swimmers, Australian Annette Kellerman was pushing the boundaries of propriety – with a determination that would make her a star.
Failing to qualify for Tokyo 2020 saw Moesha Johnson turn her focus from the pool to open water swimming – a move that led to Olympic silver and now two individual world titles.
The decision to restrict the participation of transgender swimmers at an elite level has heightened debate over fairness and inclusion, and sparked conflict between athletes and researchers alike.
Born with a rare genetic disorder, Paralympian Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson has won fans the world over for his larrikin quips and easygoing nature. Now with Tokyo medals under his belt, the swimmer is looking towards his next challenge.
With disruption and doubt still surrounding the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, now scheduled to start in July 2021, can the Australian swim team stay in their lane and remain focused on the quest for gold?
Where once elite athletes were encouraged to show no chinks in their armour, today’s sporting heroes are keen to share their vulnerabilities in the hope of reducing the stigma surrounding mental health challenges.
Swimmer Mack Horton’s stand against drug cheats, while admirable, brings into focus the double standard over who is doping and who is seen to have made an innocent mistake.
