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Leisel Jones secured a slice of history despite relinquishing her national 100m breaststroke title for the first time in 12 years at Olympic trials in Adelaide on Saturday night.
Jones ensured she would become the first Australian swimmer to compete at four Games as she finished second behind young gun Leiston Pickett in the final.
Pickett, 20, led at the turn and fended off a late challenge from Jones to win in 1:06.88 ensure the pair will compete together in London.
It ended a stunning run of 11 straight national titles for the 26-year-old Jones (1:07.64) and she knows she has her work cut out to defend her Olympic title in London with American rival Rebecca Soni having her measure in recent years.
Jones had battled an ear infection leading up to trials and had also suffered a virus in recent days but was thrilled with the achievement.
“I’m so excited. I did put a lot of pressure on myself but I’ve done that job tonight and I’m pretty stoked with that,” Jones said.
“The time was pretty ordinary but I’m pretty happy with that.
“… I didn’t think I’d ever make it to four Olympics – that’s just an absolute dream. I’ve realised that now so I’m looking forward to enjoying London.”
Pickett, meanwhile, said she hoped the performance signalled a changing of the guard in breaststroke.
“I’d like to think so. I’ve always looked up to Leisel growing up and swimming against her, so to have finally beaten her in the 100, hopefully I can stay number one,” she said.
Jones welcomed Pickett’s challenge.
“That makes me really happy. I know when I leave the sport, the women’s breaststroke is in safe hands,” Jones said.
Sarah Katsoulis (1:08.11) was third.
There was no Ian Thorpe but there was still plenty of excitement as Thomas Fraser-Holmes emerged triumphant in a thrilling 200m freestyle final.
Thorpe was poolside watching on as Fraser-Holmes powered home to secure a berth in his second event in London having smashed the Australian record to claim the men’s 400m individual medley final.
The 20-year-old clocked one minute and 46.88 seconds in Saturday’s decider to finish ahead of controversial swimmer Kenrick Monk (1:47.16), who also secured an individual Olympic berth.
David McKeon, Ned McKendry, Ryan Napoleon and Cameron McEvoy rounded out the top six to ensure they will be considered as 4x200m freestyle relay swimmers at the Games.
Bronte Barratt qualified fastest into Sunday’s night’s 200m freestyle final ahead of Stephanie Rice (1:57.57) and 400m champion Kylie Palmer (1:57.75).