After confirming his Olympic selection with victory at the national trials in Adelaide, where he set personal bests in the 100 and 50m freestyle, Magnussen told his rivals to "brace themselves" as he seeks to become the first Australian to win the Olympic 100m freestyle gold since Michael Wenden at the 1968 Mexico Games.

"I've been thinking a lot about London for the last year or so and I can't wait to race at my first Olympics," said Magnussen.

"I've also been thinking about that world record and it's something I'm after," he said referring to Brazilian Cesar Cielo's record 46.91sec, which was achieved in the now outlawed "super-suit".

Magnussen swam 47.10sec in the 100m freestyle and 21.74 in the 50m freestyle at the trials.

"He's the real deal," said Australia's head coach Leigh Nugent.

"He's the full package.

After eight days of racing at the Olympic Trials, 44 swimmers - 21 men and 23 women - have been officially selected onto the Australian Olympic team.

But Ian Thorpe (pictured), the five-times Olympic champion, was not among them after his attempted comeback from retirement fell short in the 100 and 200m freestyle.


The final night was rounded off with Cate and Bronte Campbell finishing first and second respectively in the 50m freestyle and becoming the first Australian siblings since 1972 to qualify for the Olympics and the first ever Australian siblings to qualify for the same event.

The Campbell sisters will be joined by Leisel Jones (pictured below), who becomes the first Australian swimmer to compete in four Olympics, in a team where half of the swimmers will be making their Games debuts.

"We've seen some great swimming this week and depth in many events," said Nugent.

"Our relay strength looks very good like it was in Beijing – if not better, and our sprinters have led the way in terms of world rankings.

"The racing for individual swims in London has raised the bar here at our Trials and now the job is to do everything possible to best prepare for the Games in July."

With the Opening Ceremony just 125 days away, Australian Chef de Mission Nick Green was on hand to congratulate the athletes on their selection.

"The depth of young talent on show this week is really exciting for the Australian Olympic Team, not only for London but also Rio 2016," Green said.

"To see 13 and 14-year-olds making finals and matching it with the best shows that the future of swimming is in really great shape."

Australia's female swimmers were the ones who took gold in The Cube at Beijing four years ago, but their male counterparts have ambitions of victory thanks to Magnussen and the 4x100m sprint relay team, who are the current world champions.

And the 100m times swum at the trials by Magnussen's team-mates James "The Rocket" Roberts (47.63), Matt Targett (48.32), Eamon Sullivan (48.53), Cameron McEvoy (48.58) and Tommaso D'Orsogna (48.64), suggest that taking back the Olympic title from the Americans is an achievable target.


Stephanie Rice, winner of three golds in Beijing, overcame a string of injuries to win the 400m and 200m individual medley events in world-class times.

"I'm really happy to have come away with a PB (personal best) in these suits and, more than anything, just to execute the race I wanted to execute," Rice said.

"I know if I get a good block [of training] in me, I know that I can improve on the times that I have done here in London."

Leisel Jones burst onto the international scene as a 14-year-old at Sydney 2000.

London 2012 will be an Australian record fourth Games and the triple Olympic gold medallist and former world holder still has plenty to offer her teammates in and out of the water.

"To be the first swimmer to go to four Olympic Games is a huge honour and I can't wait to experience everything the London Games will have to offer.

"Hopefully I'll be able to pass on my experience to some of the younger members of our team," Jones said.

Jones needs just one more Olympic medal to match Ian Thorpe's Australian record of nine.

The surprise packet of the Team is backstroker Matson Lawson (pictured below).


After finishing sixth in the 100m backstroke final he went up a gear and finished second in the 200m backstroke behind another Olympic debutant Mitch Larkin.

"I'm so extremely excited, it's a dream come true," 19-year-old Lawson from the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria said.

"My goal coming here was to make the top two – make the Team.

"I knew I was an outside chance but I've been training hard and it's paid off.

"I've been wanting to go to the Olympics since watching the 2000 Games on TV.

"Ian Thorpe making his comeback took so much courage.

"It's what really inspired me.

"It's the first Australian team I've ever made and it's the best team you could ever possibly make," he said.

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