THE incredible experience of competing in the trials for the Paris 2024 Olympics is set to be the inspiration to drive Kael Thompson forward in the coming years.
It was so close but so far for Kael, who at 17 years old has been punching above her weight as an S14 swimmer.
Despite not being selected for the Paralympic team, she was picked in the Australian Flippers team.
Her mum, Christine Peters, said the team expects high-quality results from the selected athletes.
“The team officials expect a podium finish at a Paralympic or World Championships in the next two to three years,” she said.
“The Flippers team is one tier down from the Paralympic team, and is basically the future generation of swimmers who will one day represent Australia at the Games.”
Kael raced in the 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle, and 100m backstroke.
For the Paralympic selection period, Kael finished third for the 100m freestyle, fourth in the 100m butterfly, and top-five finishes for most of the rest of her events. She ended up placing fifth in the finals for the 200m freestyle, seventh in the finals for the 100m butterfly, made it to prelims for the 100m freestyle and the 100m backstroke.
There were no female S14 swimmers who made qualifying times for the team, so the two fastest swimmers were selected for relay spots. Kael was the third fastest swimmer, so she just missed out.
Kael could still be selected if she competes well at her next national event.
“Australian School Nationals are being held on the Gold Coast in five weeks and Kael is racing a full program in the hope to once again earn the MC Swimmer of the meet.”
