Relay Spots confirmed for Abood and Magnussen

Matt Abood will make his long awaited Olympic debut at the Rio 2016 Games after he joined fellow New South Wales Institute of Sport athlete James Magnussen and the Gold Coast’s James Roberts in the 2016 Australian Olympic Team today.

Abood and London Olympians Magnussen and Roberts, were selected in the men’s 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay team after the International Swimming Federation (FINA) confirmed Australia’s quota spot in the event.

The trio were forced to wait for confirmation of the relay quota spot after the Australian men missed the top 12 ranking at the World Championships.

The qualification period ended on 31 May and their relay swim of 3:12.26 at the Championships has the team ranked third in the world over 2015-16 and ready to perform at Rio 2016 in August. The only two countries to have swum faster in the past 18 months have been Italy (3:10.74) and Russia (3:11.19) at the 2015 World Championships.

For Abood, who was fifth at the trials, the Games represent the realisation of a lifelong dream. He turns 30 in a few weeks and will be the oldest swimmer on the team – Australia’s sixth oldest Olympic swimmer. 

“I’m not exactly sure how I will feel come the time to walk into the village wearing the green and gold,” Abood said. 

“But I am sure when that time comes I’ll take a quiet moment for myself to soak it up and enjoy the moment.

“I think I’ll be one of the oldest Olympic rookies in swimming ever so no doubt there will be many new experiences.  

“I haven’t asked any of the Olympians on the team for any advice in particular, we are very lucky that we have a good mix of youth, debutants and experienced athletes and staff on the Team.”

Abood, who was born in Sydney but now resides in Kingscliff, won’t be having a lonely road to Rio, with his family travelling to Brazil to wave the Aussie flag.

“My wife will be traveling to Rio with my Mum and Dad, I’m really looking forward to them enjoying the Olympic experience as well, having the opportunity to share with them what we’ve all worked so hard for,” he said.

Magnussen, who won individual silver four years ago in the 100m freestyle by 0.01 seconds, had surgery on his shoulder in 2015 which caused him to miss the World Championships. He then went on to finish fourth in the 100m freestyle at the Championships, with Cameron McEvoy in first, young gun Kyle Chalmers second and Roberts third.

Magnussen, who has been in Colorado at a training camp for the past few weeks, competed in California at the US Swim Series in Santa Clara, this past weekend, winning the 100m freestyle yesterday. He said his shoulder is continually improving.

“I’m really looking forward to contributing to this relay team to the best of my ability,” Magnussen said.

“My shoulder is continuing to feel stronger by the week and I am currently spending time overseas training and racing in preparation for Rio. I love swimming in relays and think this team has a lot of talent and potential.”

These three additions take the Swimming Section of the 2016 Australian Olympic Team to 37 and the Team overall to 155, with more than 400 athletes expected.

Additions to the Swimming Section of the 2016 Australian Olympic Team: