Golden opportunity: Olympic stars take over Autumn Gold Curling Classic

Swimming sensation Lani Pallister, once aspiring to butterfly events, found her true calling by accident. While selecting the 800m freestyle race on a program instead of the 100m butterfly, the 24-year-old stumbled upon her destiny. Pallister, now a world record holder in the event, shared her journey with ABC Sport at the Australian Short Course Championships.

The past year has been a whirlwind for Pallister, culminating in a remarkable victory over U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. This win marked her first-ever triumph against Ledecky in the long-course 800m freestyle, a feat that holds immense significance for the athlete. Under the guidance of her new coach, Dean Boxall, Pallister has witnessed unprecedented improvements in her swimming times and set multiple world records in short course events.

The success has not only brought her Olympic redemption after a challenging period marred by illness and mental health struggles but has also piqued her interest in competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Despite her age, Pallister remains unfazed by the prospect of retirement, focusing instead on maintaining consistency and preparing for the upcoming trials.