Erika Fairweather at Dunedin's Moana Pool, also the home base of double Olympic champion Danyon Loader. Photo: Barry Guy
Only one New Zealand able-bodied female swimmer has won an Olympic medal - and that was 72 years ago.
Dunedin's Erika Fairweather could be about to emulate Jean Stewart from the 1952 Helsinki Games.
The 20-year-old has arrived in Paris as a world champion after claiming New Zealand's first ever world championship title with victory in the 400m freestyle in Doha earlier this year.
She also won silver and bronze in other events in her favoured stroke at the same meet.
Erika Fairweather with the gold medal she won in Doha on 11 February 2024. Photo: SEBASTIEN BOZON
While a number of the world's best missed that meeting, she will still be considered a medal prospect at this Games.
"It's always special getting to compete at this level, so much hard work goes on behind the scenes to prepare for the Olympics and I can't wait to showcase it," the 20-year-old said.
Background:
Born: 31 December 2003
Māori (Ngāi Tahu)
Based in Dunedin
Olympic events: Women's 800m, 400m, 200m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay
Achievements
Erika Fairweather wins the supreme award at the Maori Sports Awards. Photo: www.photosport.nz
One third of New Zealand's swim team of nine belong to the Neptune club and train at the Moana Pool in Dunedin, the home of two-time Olympic swimming champion Danyon Loader.
One of the three is Caitlin Deans who has been a training buddy of Fairweather since they were kids.
"We've been training partners since before I can remember, we both learnt to swim here.
"Having the three of us that train together, day in and day out, getting selected in the team together is just so special," Deans said.
The third member of the Dunedin trio is Kane Follows.
In 2023 Fairweather won world championship bronze in the 400m event, sharing the podium with swimming superstars Katie Ledecky and Ariane Titmus.
It was a turning point.
"I've gained a new sense of confidence in my ability.
"Going into worlds I didn't back myself to be in the medals to be honest, I was thinking I could make a final but I'd be going for 4th, 5th, 6th. Now going forward I think that was a giant mistake, I think I should be reaching higher.
"It was definitely something I wasn't expecting, I was in a race that was so hyped up so I didn't think I had a chance. To touch that wall and turn around and see the three beside my name was really cool."
The Olympic swimming events start on 27 July and run through until 4 August.