New-look Australia focused on LA 2028 at swimming worlds

Singapore, 26 July - Lani Pallister on Saturday urged her young Australian team-mates to "soak in the moment" at swimming's world championships in Singapore with one eye on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Australians won seven swimming golds at the Paris Olympics but several big names have since retired or are skipping this year's world championships, which begin Sunday.

That has opened the door for 10 debutants and Pallister, who made her Olympic bow in Paris, urged them to make the most of the experience.

"I think it's important for those on the team this year to really soak in the moment and do their best," said the 23-year-old.

"I don't really think it's about the medal table, I think in three years' time is the bigger picture."

Australia's most successful Olympian, Emma McKeon, has hung up her goggles as have other stalwarts including Mitch Larkin, Brianna Throssell and Jenna Strauch.

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus -- who lost her 400m freestyle world record to Canadian Summer McIntosh last month -- is on an extended break.

Eleven of Australia's squad in Singapore are aged 20 or under.

Veteran Cameron McEvoy, who is appearing at his seventh world championship, said the Australians were a team in transition.

"Things come and go, things change, you have to build up from time to time, you can't be constantly at the top and only at the top," said the 31-year-old, the 50m freestyle Olympic champion.

"We have the most rookies on our team that I've seen across my whole time, which is exciting too."

At just 16, Sienna Toohey came from nowhere to qualify for the 50m and 100m breaststroke.

Australia also have high hopes for fellow newcomers Hannah Fredericks (200m backstroke) and Ben Goedemans (800m freestyle), while Ella Ramsay, 21, will contest four events.

"A lot of them are very young, they've got a lot of years ahead of them," said McEvoy.

"Starting that three years out from the Olympics instead of, say, 2027, one year out, goes a long way too."BSS