Madison Cooper is off to the Olympic swimming at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre from June 10 to 15.
Cooper will race alongside the nation’s best for a place on the Paris Olympic team.
COVID lockdown restrictions thwarted Cooper’s opportunity to compete at the 2021 Tokyo trials, unable to leave Victoria her dreams were put on hold. The young athlete’s passion for her sport has aided her preparation for this year’s event and with just days to go she is ready to race.
Training with Melbourne Swimming Club’s Geelong branch (MSC Geelong) the 20-year-old attributes her success to the club’s training program and culture.
“I’m fortunate to have great teammates and MSC provide elite level coaching and continuous athlete and parent support,” she said.
“Once COVID restrictions lifted I was back in the water. I’ve been competing since I was eight years old, and swimming provides an excellent foundation of commitment and dedication which has helped me navigate my journey as an open national swimmer.”
Cooper has qualified for five events but will focus on the 200m backstroke, 800m freestyle and 400m individual medley.
MSC Geelong has a 51-strong team of local athletes led by senior coach Lucky Weerakkody.
Following the club’s success at the recent Australian Age and Open Championships on the Gold Coast they are looking forward to the season ahead. The MSC Geelong program provides opportunities for all levels of ability from development through to elite swimmers.
“The club has achieved great results in a short period of time and I’m looking forward to building upon those foundations,” Weerakkody said.
