Who is Mollie O'Callaghan? Olympic medals, world records, age, coach of Australian swimmer

24-07-2024
4 min read
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Heading into the Tokyo Olympics, Mollie O’Callaghan was considered a promising young gun.

Now, as the Paris Games approach, she is undoubtedly an Australian swimming star.

The Sporting News takes a closer look at her impressive young career so far.

MORE: When do the Olympic Games start? | Full Australian Olympics team

Who is Mollie O'Callaghan?

O’Callaghan was born in South Brisbane in 2004.

She began swimming at four years old and started competing three years after that.

Her success at the junior level saw he selected as part of Australia’s World Junior Championships team in 2019, where she won silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

O'Callaghan's speedy ascent in the swimming world continued when she earned her first Olympic berth for the Tokyo Games in 2021.

At 17 years old, she was the youngest member of the Australian team.

Swimming as a relay alternate, she participated in all three women's relays – the 4x100m freestyle, 4x100m medley and 4x200m freestyle.

Despite not racing in any finals, she received gold medals for both 100m events and a bronze for the 200m race.

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The following year at the Commonwealth Games, she took centre stage.

O'Callaghan picked up a hefty seven medal haul – five of which were gold.

Arguably her most impressive win came in the 100m freestyle, where she edged out two other Australians for the top podium place.

More success came her way at the World Aquatics Championships in 2023.

She became the first ever swimmer to win both the 100m and 200m freestyle events at the same championship.

How many Olympic medals has Mollie O'Callaghan won?

In her one Olympic Games appearance, O'Callaghan won three medals – two gold and one bronze.

Medal Event Year
Gold Women's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Tokyo 2020
Gold Women's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Tokyo 2020
Bronze Women's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Tokyo 2020

What world records does Mollie O'Callaghan hold?

In her young career, O'Callaghan has already broken six world records. Three of those times still stand.

Event Time Meet Year Status
4x100m mixed freestyle relay 3:19.38 World Aquatics Championships 2022 Former
4x200m freestyle relay 7:39.29 Commonwealth Games 2022 Former
4x100m freestyle relay 3:27.96 World Aquatics Championships 2023 Current
200m freestyle 1:52.85 World Aquatics Championships 2023 Former
4x200m freestyle relay 7:37.50 World Aquatics Championships 2023 Current
4x100m mixed freestyle relay 3:18.83 World Aquatics Championships 2023 Current

How old is Mollie O'Callaghan?

O'Callaghan is 20 years old.

Who is Mollie O'Callaghan's coach?

O'Callaghan is guided by one of Australia's most prolific coaches – Dean Boxall.

The charismatic coach oversees the training of several Olympic-level swimmers, including Ariarne Titmus, Elijah Winnington, Mitch Larkin, Meg Harris, Abbey Harkin and Clyde Lewis.