Lani Pallister has pulled out of the “race of the century”.
The Australian swimmer’s decision to withdraw from the highly-anticipated 400m showdown between Ariarne Titmus, Canadian teen freak Summer McIntosh and American legend Katie Ledecky is one of six changes to the Aussie team announced on Saturday.
Pallister has withdrawn from the 400m to focus on the 800m and 1500m — already loaded up with other relay events.
Aussie star Mollie O’Callaghan has also withdrawn from the 100m backstroke to focus on the other events in her stacked meet schedule.
O’Callaghan will still battle alongside Titmus in the 200m freestyle where they both have a very real chance of coming away with medals following the shock withdrawals of McIntosh and Ledecky from the 200m distance event.
Pallister’s decision, meanwhile, opens the door for 2023 World Junior champions Jamie Perkins to compete in the 400m freestyle after she finished third at the Australian Olympic trials in Brisbane last month.
Iona Anderson has also been called up to compete in the 100m backstroke following O’Callaghan’s withdrawal.
As first reported by News Corp, Australia’s other team selection changes include:
— Ella Ramsey will not contesting the 100m breaststroke. It means Jenna Strauch will be the only Australian in the event.
— Tommy Neill has entered the 200m individual medley event.
— Sam Short has added the 1500m event to his meet schedule.
— Matt Temple will attempt to do a butterfly double, adding the 200m to his 100m butterfly event.
The Aussie team has been based in France since flying out to the Olympic host nation last month.
Big things are expected of the Dolphins when the Games begin with the Opening Ceremony on July 26.
The Aussies are seen as a real chance to topple America in the pool for the first time since the Melbourne Olympics in 1956.