Share

Trickett chases 50m selection

Adelaide - Three-time Olympic champion Libby Trickett boosted her hopes of an individual spot at the London Olympics with the second-fastest time in the 50m freestyle semi-finals at the Australian trials on Wednesday.

Free of pressure after sealing Olympic selection as a relay swimmer in Tuesday's 100m freestyle final, Trickett clocked 25.12 seconds to qualify for Wednesday night's semis behind 16-year-old Alexandra Purcell (25.05).

Trickett, 27, who spent 18 months out of the sport after the 2009 Rome world championships, is relishing the chance to compete in the London event in her own right.

"It's just nice to go out there and kind of freewheel a little bit," Trickett said.

"I hope to go really fast in the 50m because my starts are feeling sensational, they're the fastest they've ever been.

"Hopefully, I can make the final tomorrow and see what I can do."

James Magnussen will be bidding for his second title in the men's 50m freestyle final on Wednesday.

Magnussen shaded Eamon Sullivan by one-hundredth of a second to be the fastest qualifier into the final.

World champion Magnussen, 20, who missed the 100m freestyle world record by 0.19 in winning Monday's final, clocked a personal best 21.87 in Tuesday's semis to Sullivan's 21.88.

In two swims in the 50m at the trials Magnussen has carved a massive 0.54 off his best one-lap time.

Matthew Levings posted the fastest time of 15:17.75 in Wednesday's preliminaries for the 1 500m freestyle ahead of Jarrod Poort (15:24.95) and Robert Hurley (15:32.08). The final is set for Thursday's last day of the trials.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE