Australia has remarkable depth in the freestyle ranks, with Ariarne having already won gold in the 400m and Mollie leading off the gold-medal winning 4x100m Relay. They are both key components of a women’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay Team that will be looking to add another medal to the bronze they secured in Tokyo.

But the two St Peters Western clubmates must put their communal goals aside for less than two minutes as they chase the Olympic title.

Ariarne is the Olympic champion and world record holder and stands on the precipice of more history should she prevail. Victory will see her become the first Australian in Olympic history to have more than three gold medals in individual events. 

Only 12 swimmers in history have achieved the feat, including legends like Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Krisztina Egerszegi and Aleksandr Popov. 

Mollie is the reigning world champion and will be out to collect her first individual Olympic crown. 

She will also be one of the swimmers to watch in the 100m Freestyle that starts on Tuesday, another event in which she hopes to add Olympic gold to the world championship title.

Kaylee McKeown will be looking to secure a middle lane in the 100m Backstroke final after cruising through the heats in her first appearance in Paris. 

Kaylee was the third-fastest out of the morning prelims with a 58.48s, while newcomer Iona Anderson was also through to the semis in 59.37s.

Ella Ramsay was over the moon to make the final of the 400m IM at her first Games. She will share the pool with the likes of Canadian star Summer McIntosh in one of the most-brutal events on the program. 

Ella is the daughter of 2000 Olympic swimmer Heath Ramsay. He has been her inspiration.

“It’s so special. He’s my biggest support and my biggest role model. So to be in the final, I just wanted to make him proud,” Ella said. 

“It’s pretty surreal. I’ll definitely soak it in and see what I can do and hopefully build on this morning’s swim.”

Jenna Forrester wasn’t able to qualify but was beaming to be in Paris with the Dolphins.

She loved every minute on the pool deck at a venue that is quickly becoming a huge favourite for the athletes with its exuberant crowds and stadium atmosphere.

“That was such an awesome experience. That time wasn’t that close to my best but I’m so grateful to be here,” Jenna said. 

“It’s been such a huge year so just to get to an Olympic Games and represent my country is something I’m very proud of. It has been incredible. I couldn't wipe the smile off my space. Everything is just really cool.”

In other heats on Monday morning, 400m Freestyle silver medallist Elijah Winnington booked a spot in Tuesday night’s 800m final with a swim of 7:42.86, while Sam Short (7:46.83) finished ninth after a fast set of heats. He still has the 1500m on his program.

“I’m really happy with that swim, a really small PB (personal best),” Elijah said.

“To be honest I still don’t know how to swim this race … (but) I knew I would have to get a move on to make this final.”

Phil Lutton