ST. LOUIS — The 17-year-old powerhouse Alexandra Shackell, also known as "Alex," has qualified for her very first Olympics with the USA's swim team.
She'll make her Olympic debut July 31 competing in the 200-meter butterfly.
Here are five things you should know about her:
1. Although Shackell was born in St. Louis, Missouri, she was raised in Carmel, Indiana, specifically for the state's aquatic reputation, Shackell said during an interview.
2. Olympians seem to run — or swim — in the Shackell family. Her father, Nicholas, swam for Great Britain during the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996. And her big brother, Aaron, will be joining her as a swimmer in the games in Paris. Shackell will be following in the same footsteps as her father, who also competed in the freestyle relay.
3. The 17-year-old has already accomplished great success. In 2022, she earned the title of world championship silver medalist as a junior swimmer. In 2023, she won the 100 fly and 200 freestyle during the Speedo Winter Juniors East Championship.
4. Shackell has also made history as the first female from the Carmel Swim Club to qualify for the Olympics Team. The swim club has existed since the 1970s, according to their website.
5. Shackell plans to attend the University of California, Berkeley like her brother, Aaron.
