The Australian Olympic Committee has selected artistic swimmer Rayna Buckle to the Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo 2020, replacing Hannah Cross who has retired from the sport.
The 20-year-old Sydneysider will compete in the eight-person Teams event.
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Australian Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020 Ian Chesterman welcomed Rayna to the Team.
“Congratulations Rayna on being named to the Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo,” Mr Chesterman said.
“This has been a very long and difficult
preparation for the Olympic Games and today is a day to celebrate years of hard work to achieve this goal, for Rayna, her family, friends and teammates.“I also want to thank Hannah for everything she has given to the sport and to her teammates.
“I know Rayna will make the most of this opportunity and will do her teammates and Australia proud.”
Buckle said competing for Australia at an Olympic games was a dream come true.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to represent Australia in a sport that has been my passion for so much of my life,” Buckle said.
“Even though I’m a new addition to this team, I’m so proud to be part of this amazing team and am immensely grateful for this opportunity. I really want to swim my best for the team and for Australia.”
Head Coach Loredana Montico welcomed Rayna’s selection.
"My congratulations to Rayna for being selected for the 2021 Olympic Team,” Montico said.
“Rayna has shown a significant improvement since she began training with the team in January. She adds a lot to the team and is a pure joy to coach.”
ASAI President paid tribute to Hannah Cross’ involvement with the team.
“We want to thank Hannah for her contribution to the sport and wish her all the best in her retirement,” Davis said. “Rayna is welcomed to the team and we are grateful that she was ready and eager to take on this opportunity so close to the Olympics”.
The selected Team size is currently 388 of an expected 470.
Artistic Swimming made its Olympic debut in 1984 (named Synchronised Swimming) and is one of only two events that is female only at the Olympics.
Teams must perform a Technical routine of three minutes containing five technical elements that all teams must perform and a Free routine of four minutes that emphasises creativity and choreography. Find out more about Artistic Swimming at the Olympics in the infographic below.
Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo - Artistic Swimming Team
Name | Event/s | Age | Olympic Games | Suburb | State | Postcode | |||||||
Rayna Buckle | Team | 20 | Debut | Sydney | NSW | 2093 | |||||||
Hannah Burkhill | Team | 20 | Debut | Booragoon | WA | 6154 | |||||||
Kiera Gazzard | Team | 19 | Debut | Randwick | NSW | 2031 | |||||||
Alessandra Ho | Team | 21 | Debut | Booragoon | WA | 6154 | |||||||
Kirsten Kinash | Team | 23 | Debut | Bonogin | QLD | 4213 | |||||||
Rachel Presser | Team | 21 | Debut | Banora Point | NSW | 2486 | |||||||
Emily Rogers | Team & Duet | 23 | Rio 2016 | Attadale | WA | 6156 | |||||||
Amie Thompson | Team & Duet | 25 | Rio 2016 | Como | WA | 6152 |
The Artistic Swimming competition runs from 2 – 7 August at the Tokyo Aquatic centre.
Catch all the latest team info, stats and athlete bios at www.olympics.com.au/games/
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