Tokyo 2020 has now concluded and as all the papers have stated, it was the Olympics the world needed, an Olympics that were incredibly successful for Australia. Led by the Australian swim team, the green and gold stood on top of the podium for a record-equaling 17 times, which saw them claim sixth place overall on the medal tally.
With the Channel 7 broadcast not missing a second of the action, spectators have been inundated with the success of Emma McKeon, Ariarne Titmus & Kaylee McKeown. Whilst it is hard to get past the immense success of our “golden girls” the three WA athletes deserve equal praise, all successful in their own rights.
Brianna Throssell, Zac Incerti and Tamsin Cook, led by coach Michael Palfery stood up on the international stage all bringing home silverware.
Throssell, a name synonymous with the Australian swim team, was once again representing her country strongly, swimming into the final in the 200m Butterfly and the semi-final in the 100m Butterfly.
Now a dual Olympic finalist, Throssell swam valiantly in her individual events but perhaps the most significant memories will come from her performances in the relays. Throssell played a pivotal part for the Australian team, relieving Emma McKeon from heat swims in the 4x100m Medley Relay, 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay and 4x200m Freestyle Relay. As a heat swimmer, Throssell was recognized with gold and two bronze medals, making her luggage significantly heavier on the way home.
Joining Throssell in the 4x200m Freestyle heat was her teammate and fellow dual Olympian, Tamsin Cook. Cook was instrumental in the heat of the 4x200m Freestyle Relay seeing them place first and claim lane four into the final. Cook was also in action in the Women’s 400m Freestyle, where she narrowly missed the final in a time of 4:04.80. Considering Cook has only been in the pool for one year, it was a monumental effort, nonetheless.
However, perhaps the most significant performance by a Western Australian swimmer at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, came from Zac Incerti. Swimming in the final of the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay and the 4x200m Freestyle Relay, Incerti was a guiding hand for the Australian team ensuring the result was optimized.
At his first world-class meet, Incerti looked like a 10-year veteran, staying calm and composed in the high-pressure environment of the Olympics. Incredibly, Incerti swam a 47.55 in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay and 1:45.75 in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay, the second and third fastest splits for the Australian team. An incredible effort at his Olympic debut.
The Australian Dolphins have now returned to home soil with Team WA sporting one gold and five bronze medals. The Dolphins will quarantine in the Northern Territory before heading to their home states.
With only three years until Paris 2024, this performance will hopefully inspire a new generation to join Throssell, Incerti and Cook at the highest level.
