Tamsin Cook completes return to the pool by qualifying for a second Olympic Games

Rio Olympic silver medallist Tamsin Cook’s return to swimming may but less than a year old, and now takes her back to the biggest sporting stage in the world and a second Olympic Games.

A return to the WAIS program in the second half of last year and old coach Mick Palfrey has paid dividends for the 22-year-old securing a second Olympic Games.

Cook went out strong with only reigning world champion Ariarne Titmus ahead of her at the first turn in the stacked field. The next seven laps saw a composed Cook lead the rest of the field as she swam home in a new personal best time of 4:04.10, easily under the qualifying standard.

“I think it is probably even more special this time around,” said an elated Cook. “Back in 2016 I was really young and really nieve and I had to take a bit of time away from the sport after Rio. It really changed my perspective and reminded me how special it is to be an athlete and how lucky we are to be able to do what can do. It is incredible. I really didn’t expect it.”

In her three years out of the sport the depth in women’s distance racing has only grown stronger including the rise of Junior World Championship teammate Ariarne Titmus.

“It is absolutely insane. Compared to five years ago the field in Australia has got so much more depth and it is just incredible to see. Arnie [Ariarne Titmus] is obviously pushing us all along, and we have some great long distance girls as well. For me that is around the time I swam in the heats at the Olympics so swim that, to even make the team just shows far we have come as a nation in women’s distance racing. It’s just so exciting for the future.

Cook will also line up in the 200m and 100m freestyle.