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Paralympic and World Championship gold medallist Ben Hance, emerging sensation Ruby Storm and elite performer Jack Ireland have been added to the Australian Para-swimming team for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The trio joins the other 27 Para-swimming representatives and 46 able-bodied swimmers in the Australian team for the Games, bringing the squad total to 76.
Storm, 18, will become just the second Para-swimmer of Indigenous heritage to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games.
“I’ve never been to a Commonwealth Games before but I’m excited to be with both able-bodied and Para-team members in the squad,” Storm said.
“Getting to race in front of crowds and other teams is so exciting. Going from no crowds to big crowds will be very interesting.”
Storm was scared of the water as a youngster but took to the sport after watching an older sister take swimming lessons in the regional Victorian town of Traralgon.
Her world-class capabilities were soon apparent and she has produced some outstanding swims over the past three years.
After showing her potential with record-breaking swims at the Pan Pacific trials in 2018, Storm won a bronze medal in the 4 x 100m mixed freestyle relay S14 at the 2019 World Championships.
In Tokyo last year she claimed a Paralympic silver medal in the same team event as well as a bronze medal in the 100m butterfly S14.
Storm, who is now based on the Sunshine Coast, was part of the silver medal team in the 4 x 100m mixed freestyle relay S14 at the recent World Championships in Portugal.
“My aim is to obviously win a medal,” Storm said of the upcoming Games.
“I want to come with a relaxed approach… and have fun. Having fun is the best thing that anyone could ever ask for when being with this great team.”
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Hance, 21, claimed a box set of medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, winning gold in the 100m backstroke S14, silver in the 4 x 100m mixed freestyle relay and a bronze in the 100m butterfly S14.
The Sunshine Coast local is set to make his Commonwealth Games debut in peak form as the world record holder for the 100m backstroke S14, which earned him gold at the 2022 World Championships, where he also took two silvers in relays and a bronze in the 100m freestyle S14.
Ireland is the final Para-swimmer named to join the Australian team for the Games.
“I’m feeling pretty good, actually making my first Commonwealth Games team,” Ireland said.
“I’m pretty happy with it… I’m looking forward to seeing what the atmosphere is like [in Birmingham].”
Ireland, who learnt to swim in Newcastle before moving to Queensland at the age of 13 to further his development, also has an impressive record at the international level.
At the World Championships he too was a member of the 4 x 100m mixed relay team which won silver, while also competing well in his individual event.
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Ireland is looking forward to taking good form into the Birmingham 2022 Games.
“At worlds in the 200m freestyle final I got fourth and a PB. So hopefully I can do the same thing… Something similar or better will be great,” he said.
Commonwealth Games Australia Team Chef de Mission Petria Thomas said: “Today is a special day for Ruby, Jack and Ben, but also for their families, coaches and supporters, and everyone who has been there with them on their journey to Birmingham.
“All three swimmers will be making their Commonwealth Games debuts later this month and my best advice for them is to know that they’ve put in the hard work and they deserve to be at the Games.
“I wish them all the best and know they will do the green and gold proud.”
By: Commonwealth Games Australia and David Sygall, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 7 July 2022
