Artistic swimmers Amie Thompson, Amber Rose Stackpole, Emily Rogers, Hannah Cross and Jane Fruzynski have been selected to the Australian Olympic Team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Canberra this morning.
For Thompson, Stackpole, Cross and Rogers it will be their second Games having competed in Rio, four years ago. Fruzynski will make her Olympic debut.
Australia is one of just 10 nationals qualified for the team event following a strong performance as the 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.
“Making this Team shows it’s about the journey and sacrifices we make, and that perseverance can end in this beautiful experience of the Olympic Games,” said 24-year-old Thompson.
“I had tried synchro when I was young and loved it, but there wasn’t a club near me. One day I found a flyer for a new club opening near us and it changed my life – if I hadn’t seen that flyer and given it a go I never would have been on this Olympic journey.”
In addition to the team event Australia has also qualified a spot in the duet with Thompson set to partner with Stackpole in their second Olympic Games.
“It feels so good to say I’m going to my second Olympics. It’s been fantastic to see the team grow and develop and be in the really strong place we’re in today, and I’m really excited to contest the Duet in Tokyo.
“While I love the performance aspect, making these incredible movements look effortless, I love the daily grind and small steps on the way. Achieving mini goals in a training session, sharing a laugh in a hard session with teammates, makes every day worth it.
“Sport has taught me when something goes wrong, I can deal with it piece by piece and overcome it – whether it’s a university assignment or something in daily life, there isn’t a challenge too big.”
Joining the five WA athletes on the eight member team is Kiera Gazzard, Kirsten Kinash and Rachel Presser.
The team will head to Paris at the beginning of March for the French Open followed by an international training camp.
WAIS Athletes
Amber Rose Stackpole (24) – Second Olympic Games
Amie Thompson (24) – Second Olympic Games
Emily Rogers (21) – Second Olympic Games
Hannah Cross (23) – Second Olympic Games
Jane Fruzynski (19) – Olympic debut
