Sam Short equals Grant Hackett's record

Topic: Swimming

Saturday, 13 June 2026, 8:38 am

Sam Short was very tired after his hard program.

Sam Short likes to talk about the food he eats. He had a bad stomach at two big championships.

After winning his 800m title, Sam wanted to eat his mom's spaghetti. He was very tired in the last part of his 1,500m race.

Sam had a bad stomach at the 2024 Paris Olympics and missed a final at the 2025 world championships.

But Sam says his eating is part of his training. He loads up on carbs before big races.

Meg Harris qualified for the 100m freestyle at the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.

Sam Short won four events at the Australian Swimming Trials, like Grant Hackett did in 2005.

Sam said, 'That's awesome. It's been a really hard week.' He was happy but also very tired.

Sam said, 'To be honest, none of it's that big a surprise. I've trained the best I've ever trained.'

Sam swam very fast in his first three races, including a new national record in the 800m.

Then, in the 1,500m, Sam got very tired after the first kilometre, like he did at the 2023 world championships.

But this time, Sam didn't slow down as much. He finished in 14:42.09, behind the American record.

Sam spent over 40 minutes racing in the pool at these trials.

Sam finished eight seconds ahead of the next two swimmers, who both swam their best times.

Sam said, 'I remember people saying Australian distance swimming is not good anymore.'

But Sam said, 'Now, we have good swimmers. Benny and Matt would have beaten Kieren Perkins at the 2000 Olympics.'

Sam hopes the selectors choose Benny for the Commonwealth Games. He thinks they can win all the medals.

The Commonwealth Games are next month, and the Pan Pacs are a few weeks later. Sam thinks the times will get faster.

Sam said, 'When you have eight good swimmers in the final, it's very exciting.'

Sam said, 'I think we will all swim our best times in a couple of weeks.'

Sam loves racing and can't wait to represent his country.

The ABC of SPORT

Saturday, 13 June 2026, 8:38 am

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