Tara Murray
Sunbury’s Ashleigh McConnell has been selected as part of the Australian para-swim team to compete at the Commonwealth Games.
A team of 27 was announced on Wednesday to head to Birmingham in July to compete against the best in the Commonwealth.
McConnell will compete in the 100 metres freestyle in the S9 category.
The 26-year-old will be competing in her second Commonwealth Games after winning bronze in the same event in 2018. She also competed at last year’s Olympics.
Birmingham 2022 Australian team chef de mission Petria Thomas praised the line-up of outstanding swimmers selected to represent the green and gold in Birmingham.
“Congratulations to the first 27 swimming team members who have been selected to the Australian Commonwealth Games team for the Birmingham Games,” Thomas said.
“After a successful Tokyo Paralympics campaign, our Dolphins have continued the hard work towards the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and today’s selections are a result of their commitment to their swimming.
“This is an exciting squad who are ready to take on the best swimmers from across the Commonwealth. The squad possesses a wonderful mix of veterans, including Blake Cochrane who becomes the first Para-Dolphin to be selected to four Commonwealth Games, through to the 16 Commonwealth Games debutants who will bring vigour and excitement to the team.
“I am sure these 27 swimmers will cherish the opportunity to compete in the green and gold, and I know they will perform in a way that continues the proud legacy of the Australian Dolphins at the Commonwealth Games.”
Commonwealth Games Australia and Swimming Australia will announce the selection of up to three more team members in the coming weeks, pending classification review.
The full Australian swimming contingent for Birmingham will be completed with the announcement of the able-bodied swimmers following the Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide from May 18.
