Swimming Australia has nominated their eight athletes to compete in Singapore in August and Nugent claimed that the team now have the perfect stage to prove that they have what it takes to compete in London in just over two years time. 

Nugent said: "There is every chance that some of these swimmers will go on to represent Australia in Rio in 2016 and perhaps even London in 2012 and competing at a major event like the Youth Olympic Games will be something they’ll be able to look back on as they develop further in the sport.

"This is a great opportunity for these eight swimmers to race against the best in the world in their age group and the experience they’ll gain will be invaluable."

Rising 15-year-old freestyle star Emma McKeon heads the list of nominations for inclusion in the Australian Youth Olympic Team to compete in Singapore.

McKeon, who won four gold and two silver medals at the recent Australian Age Championships in Sydney, is joined by three other girls in Brittany Elmslie, 15, Emily Selig, 17, and Madison Wilson, 15, as well as the provisional boys’ team which consists of Max Ackerman,17, Justin Jamesm 17, Nicholas Schafer, 18, and Kenneth To, 17.

It is anticipated the swimmers will be officially selected by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) early next week with the full Australian Youth Olympic Team set to be announced in July.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]