Australia’s swimming sister act

Cate Campbell and Bronte Campbell embrace after finishing first and second in 50m Freestyle [GALLO/GETTY]

Australia unveiled a team of 44 swimmers for the London Olympics on the final night of the selection trials in Adelaide on Thursday.

Half the team, comprising 21 men and 23 women, will be making their Olympic debuts with Leisel Jones set to become the first Australian swimmer to compete at four Games.

The team will be spearheaded by 100m freestyle world champion James Magnussen (in the 50m and 100m), defending Olympic 200/400m individual medley champion Stephanie Rice, breaststroker Brenton Rickard and butterflyer Jessicah Schipper.

“Our relay strength looks very good like it was in Beijing – if not better, and our sprinters have led the way in terms of world rankings” Head coach Leigh Nugent

Sisters Cate and Bronte Campbell will become the first siblings in 40 years to be selected in Australia’s Olympic swimming team after finishing one-two in the 50m freestyle on Thursday’s final night of competition.

The last siblings to swim for Australia at an Olympics were Neil and Greg Rogers and Karen and Narelle Moras, all in the same team at Munich in 1972.

Triple Olympic champion Libby Trickett, who has swum at two Olympics, is part of the sprint relay team after missing out on an individual swim in the 50m freestyle on the final night of the trials.

Head coach Leigh Nugent said he was impressed with the strength of the Australian team and the positive racing at the Olympic trials.

“We’ve seen some great swimming this week and depth in many events,” Nugent said.

“Our relay strength looks very good like it was in Beijing – if not better, and our sprinters have led the way in terms of world rankings,” Nugent said.

“The racing for individual swims in London has raised the bar here at our trials and now the job is to do everything possible to best prepare for the Games in July.”