ALL the hard work has been done.
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Now it’s up to James Magnussen to do what he does best and swim to his potential when Australia lines up for the 4x100m freestyle relay on Monday morning (AEST).
The team – which will hopefully include Magnussen – will walk behind the blocks in heat one at 4.05am or heat two at 4.13am at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium.
Coach Mitch Falvey said even he wasn’t aware if Magnussen would make the final cut after Australia took five relay swimmers to Rio.
That has to be cut to four.
But if he is successful, Magnussen will appear in his second Olympic Games.
“He’s at his second Olympics which is by no means an easy feat for anyone and he’s excited to be there and do the job that his country has asked of him,” Falvey said.
“I’m sure he’ll do himself and Australia proud; we’re looking forward to watching him swim because it’s going to be exciting.”
Falvey is confident the preparation has been as good as it can be.
“All the work has been done now, it’s up to him to enjoy the moment and the atmosphere and swim the best he can,” he said.
Magnussen finished second in the 100-metre freestyle at the Australian Swimming Grand Prix in Brisbane in July in his last competitive swim.
“We’re going to see him swim a little bit quicker than he’s done this season since he’s come back from the surgery,” Falvey said.
“So it’s all indicating a season-best swim and we’re very excited about that.”
Since Brisbane, Magnussen has been at a training camp to ensure he is ready to go on Monday morning.
“His last competitive swim was in a Grand Prix and then he’s done a time trial which we were really pleased with and he’s been training as normal, preparing for Sunday’s heat,” Falvey said.
“His body is feeling good, his shoulder is getting stronger and he’s swam some fast times in the last two weeks.
“He’s looking forward to getting out there and posting some good times for Australia.”
If Australia gets through the heats, the final will be swum at 12.55pm on Monday.
