POOL OF TALENT

Erika Fairweather says Olympic rivals will see a different swimmer

Olympics medal hopeful Erika Fairweather says she is heading to her second Olympics in Paris later this year as a completely different athlete.

The 20-year-old was in familiar territory yesterday as New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Nicki Nicol unveiled a nine-strong swimming team at Moana Pool in Dunedin, and the world champion’s family were also on hand to celebrate the moment.

But, three years after the Covid-affected Tokyo Olympics, Fairweather is bound for Paris with the confidence that comes with being a world champion, even though that was achieved in the absence of her two biggest rivals, Ariarne Titmus and Katie Ledecky.

“I think it just sets me up so well [Tokyo],” Fairweather said yesterday. “I’m in a completely different place to where I was last Olympics.

“Obviously, I was a bit of a rookie, and I kind of flew under the radar a little bit the last time.

“And now I guess my position on the world stage is a little bit different, which is a little bit scary, but it's also really cool.

“I think I’ve just got to play on that a little bit.

“It is a massive achievement [being world champion]. It’s definitely not something that I could look past at the moment.

“But having the other girls in the race ... I love racing. Just plain and simple, I really enjoy racing.”

Fairweather said “consistency” was the key to her preparation over the coming months as she tries to hit her*peak in Paris, but was still pinching herself that she will be able to experience an Olympics with childhood friend Caitlyn Deans.

“Caitlyn's been one of my training partners since we were little kids,” she said.

“To have her with me and especially in the same race is so exciting.”

Fairweather also said she treasured the stability of being able to train in Dunedin with long-time coach Lars Humer.

Unlike Lewis Clareburt, who made the tough decision to move from Wellington to Auckland last year, Fairweather has never thought about leaving her home base.

“It's a really nice kind of reassurance thing ... being able to stay in Dunedin,” she said.

“My family is all down here. Having their support makes this whole really complex situation so much nicer.”

GETTY IMAGES Erika Fairweather made a name for herself with her win at the world championships earlier this year. At the Paris Olympics, she will be part of a star-studded field.

Erika Fairweather, Hazel Ouwehand, Caitlin Deans, Lewis Clareburt, Kane Follows and Cameron Gray pose for a selfie at St Clair Beach in Dunedin yesterday after the naming of the New Zealand swimming team for the Paris Olympics. JOE ALLISON/GETTY IMAGES FOR NZOC