James Magnussen

James Magnussen was born in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. He enrolled at Macquarie University for the 2010 academic year, joining the institutions swim team and training under decorated coach Brant Best. In March of that year, Magnussen competed at the 2010 Telstra Australian Swimming Championships, earning a bronze medal in the 100-meter freestyle race. In August of the same year, Magnussen was the anchor of the 4 x 100-meter freestyle relay; his team took home the silver; in October, he and his 4 x 100-meter freestyle relay team (likewise consisting of swimmers Eamon Sullivan and Kyle Richardson) won a gold medal. The following year, Magnussen focused his efforts on the 2011 Australian Swimming Championships and the 2011 World Aquatics Championships, winning two gold medals (for the 100-meter freestyle and the 4 x 100-meter freestyle relay, once more with Sullivan) and one silver medal (for the 4 x 100-meter medley relay). Following competition in the 2012 Australian Swimming Championships, Magnussen qualified for and participated in the 2012 Summer Olympics on behalf of Australia's swimming team, taking home a silver medal for the 100-meter freestyle and a bronze medal for the 4 x 100-meter medley relay. Following his turn at the London-based Olympic games, Magnussen participated in the 2013 World Aquatic Championships, and sought qualification to participate as part of Australia's 4 x 100-meter freestyle relay team in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.