Watch the Mighty Blues in Tokyo

In these tough, uncertain times, the impending Tokyo Olympic Games are a source of hope for many people in NSW and across the country. With roughly half of Australia living under stay-at-home orders and missing outside life with family and friends, it’s a small comfort to know we can all be connected through the pride and excitement we get to experience when watching the Australian Team compete at the Olympics – and watching TV is something we definitely CAN do right now!

Five Mighty Blues secured hotly contended places on the Australian Olympic Swimming Team – Bronte Campbell (Knox Pymble SC), Cate Campbell (Knox Pymble SC), Jessica Hansen (Cruiz SC), Se-Bom Lee (Carlile SC) and Matt Wilson (SOPAC SC). Metro North Performance Hub Head Coach Simon Cusack also joins the Coaching contingent for the Australian Team.

Four-time Olympian and former World Record holder in the Women’s 100m Freestyle, Cate Campbell will be representing Australia in the Women’s 50m and 100m Freestyle. The Tokyo 2020 Games opening ceremony due to take place tomorrow, 23 July, is sure to be a memorable one for Cate, having recently been named flag bearer for the Australian Team, along with basketballer Patty Mills.

An honour bestowed on only two swimmers before her, Cate makes history as the first female swimmer and first dual flagbearer to carry the Australian flag in an opening ceremony.

Olympic debutants including 200m Breaststroke former equal World Record holder, Matt Wilson, Junior World Championships team member, Se-Bom Lee, and Pan Pacs individual Silver medallist, Jessica Hansen, have all secured places in individual events: the Men’s 100m and 200m Breaststroke, the Men’s 400m IM, and the Women’s 100m Breaststroke respectively.

This Australian Team of powerhouse athletes and gold medal favourites is sure to make the Tokyo relay events an utter thrill to experience. Bolstered by Triple Olympian and member of the Women's World Record-breaking 4x100m Relay Team in Rio, Bronte Campbell, and Breaststroke gun Matt Wilson (Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay), the Australian Dolphins are in a prime position to get their hands on the wall first.

With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in Japan (and around the world), strict safety and hygiene measures are in place in the village to protect all members of the Olympic Team. No doubt, these measures add an extra level of complexity to our Mighty Blues’ preparation leading into their events.

“These games will be different,” said Jon Shaw, Swimming NSW Coaching Director, “but it cannot take away from the fact that (these athletes) are representing their country on the highest stage possible. For the rest of their lives these competitors will be Olympians and no one can ever take that away.

"The most important thing for the Mighty Blues right now is to keep level. Going to Olympic or Paralympic Games is often a once in a lifetime opportunity and the pressure from the greatness of this achievement can wreak havoc on the emotional stability of athletes.

"They have done all the work at home in training and in domestic competition and now it’s all about the little things on a day-to-day basis like getting used to life in the village and coming down from all the excitement and tension in a constructive way.”

"From all of us at Swimming NSW, we would like to wish our NSW competitors the very best of luck," said Swimming NSW CEO, Mark Heathcote. "Our hope is that you attain the level of success you’ve personally strived for over the past 5 years, whatever success looks like for you as an individual. When you step up on the blocks, know the NSW swimming community is behind you all the way."

We can’t wait to watch you all live! Go the Mighty Blues!

How to watch the Olympics

Channel 7 is Australia's official Olympic and Paralympic broadcaster. 

The Olympic Games will take place from 23 July to 8 August, with the Swimming events being featured from 24 July to 1 August. The Opening Ceremony will be broadcast at 9pm on 23 July.

You can view the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Swimming Competition Schedule. Times are Japan Standard Time (JST), which is one hour behind AEST.

Mighty Blues Schedule

Individual Events

Cate Campbell – Women’s 50m and 100m Freestyle

Jessica Hansen – Women’s 100m Breaststroke

Se-Bom Lee – Men’s 400m IM

Matt Wilson – Men’s 100m and 200m Breaststroke