The 2024 Australian Open Championships featured the Men’s 400 Freestyle Final, where Elijah Winnington emerged as the gold medalist with a time of 3:41.41, followed closely by silver medalist Sam Short at 3:41.64 and bronze medalist Kim Woomin at 3:45.12. Winnington and Short delivered the fastest two times in the world so far that season and were over a second faster than any other swimmer.
In addition to Winnington and Short’s impressive performances, the top 5 times in the world for the season included Woomin Kim, Lucas Martens, and Guilherme Costa. These swimmers showcased their talents on an international stage and set the bar high for future competitions.
Winnington’s victory marked a significant moment in his career as he had not achieved a time under 3:42 since his previous World Title win in 2022. Short, on the other hand, had not surpassed the 3:42 mark since his 2023 World Championship victory. Both swimmers demonstrated their ability to rise to the occasion and perform at their best when it mattered most.
While the Australian Open Championships were not an Olympic selection meet, the impressive performances of Winnington and Short hinted at their potential for success at the upcoming Paris Olympics. With Australian Trials scheduled for June, these swimmers have set themselves up as strong contenders for the national team. Their dedication and hard work have paid off, and they continue to make their mark on the competitive swimming world.