Swimming Australia has decided to break away from tradition by selecting accommodation outside the athletes’ village for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, aiming to enhance their chances against the USA in swimming. In an effort termed “LA immersion”, the national federation plans a two-day visit to the host city in August, following the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine.
This decision stems from dissatisfaction expressed by swimmers regarding the living conditions at the Paris 2024 village, where issues related to transport, meals, and bedding were prevalent. Although some members of the star-studded Dolphins team will reside in the village, the option to relocate to a hotel that better supports high performance during critical race periods has been made available.
By choosing a separate hotel—whose details remain undisclosed for security reasons—Swimming Australia hopes to minimise travel times to SoFi Stadium, where swimming events will take place. The logistics during the Games could differ significantly from those currently observed, as some routes may be restricted to streamline transportation for athletes and their teams.
The planned LA visit includes a night’s stay at the hotel and tours of both the athletes’ village and the state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium, which is expected to provide an unparalleled atmosphere for Olympic swimming. The Australian Olympic Committee president, Ian Chesterman, will join the team on this trip, alongside chef de mission Anna Meares.
With the Pan Pacific Championships scheduled to feature squads from Australia, the USA, Canada, and Japan, the Swimming Australia camp will be held at the University of California, San Diego, which will also serve as their base during the Olympics. This preparatory trip aims to familiarise athletes with their surroundings, helping them visualise their experience during the Games.
Concerns about the Olympic village environment were voiced by athletes like Shayna Jack, who highlighted long bus rides with inadequate conditions. Coach Rohan Taylor acknowledged the mixed experience of village life, but assured that swimmers would have the choice to stay in a more suitable environment during their competitions.
Historically, Australia has struggled to surpass the USA in the Olympic swimming medal count, with the last triumph occurring in 1956. Since then, the USA has dominated, only faltering in 1980 and 1988. At Paris 2024, the Australians narrowly missed out, finishing with fewer gold medals than the USA.
Looking ahead, Taylor emphasised the importance of preparing effectively to compete against the established standards set by the US team, focusing on how they can improve their preparation to optimise performance during the Games.