ADELAIDE: Hannah Fredericks faced heartache after narrowly missing out on a spot on the Australian swimming team for the Paris Olympics. To cope with her disappointment, the 22-year-old journeyed across the globe to gain perspective on her situation. However, at the recent national trials, joy swept over her as she secured a place in the Dolphins squad for the upcoming world championships.
Fredericks achieved her goal by finishing in the top two of the women’s 200m backstroke finals, clocking in at 2:09.54, which met Swimming Australia’s qualification benchmark. The event saw Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown dominating with a time of 2:04.47, although she fell short of her own world record of 2:03.14.
A latecomer to the sport, Fredericks had not even been part of a junior Dolphins team, making her debut in representing Australia particularly significant. Overcome with emotion during a post-race interview with Cate Campbell, she expressed how much the achievement meant to her. "Last year I was pretty close to making the team for the Paris Games. I just missed. I have to say it was really hard," Fredericks shared, fighting back tears.
Fredericks’ journey to this moment was not without its challenges. She candidly recalled how she treated herself after last year’s Olympic trials disappointment: “I probably shouldn’t say this, but I missed the team and drank for a few days,” she joked, adding that it was followed by an impromptu trip to London facilitated by her father who encouraged her to seize the opportunity for a break. This spontaneous adventure turned out to be one of the most enjoyable experiences of her life.
As she prepares for the world titles in Singapore, Fredericks embodies resilience and determination, proof that setbacks can lead to incredible comebacks. With her eyes set on future competitions, she remains a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.