“Ever since I learnt my dad was an Olympian, I wanted to be an Olympian”-Aaron Shackell reflects on being the first U.S. swimmer qualifying for Paris

Aaron Shackell became the first American swimmer to make it to the team heading to the Paris Olympics later this summer. Competing on the first day of the U.S Swimming Olympic Trials, the 19-year-old stormed to gold in the 400m freestyle in dramatic fashion.

Shackell began his outing at the Trials by topping the charts for his 400 freestyle heat with a 3:47.96. This placed him fourth overall going into the finals, behind Luke Whitlock, David Johnston, and Jake Mitchell.

In the finals, the Carmel swimmer was off to an amazing start, leading from the very first split. At the 100m mark, Aaron Shackell was the only swimmer to dip below 54 seconds, and he kept that momentum going to touch the wall in a new personal best of 3:45.46.

Speaking to NBC Olympics after the race, Shackell said that making it to the Paris Olympics was a childhood dream realized, especially since his father, Nick Shackell, was an Olympian himself.

“I have to say since kindergarten, ever since I learnt my dad was an Olympian, I wanted to be an Olympian myself. It wasn't always easy. For a long time I wasn't very good at swimming, and I honestly didn't like it until a few years ago. And people in that heat inspired me to go faster and work as hard as I could and now I'm swimming with the best and I'm going to Paris, so it's unbelievable to be honest.”

Detailing the feelings that comes with competing on home ground in the Lucas Oil Stadium at Indianapolis, Aaron Shackell said,

“Honestly, it's what I live for, performing in front of big crowds. I always grew up watching football, basketball, and I always wanted to swim in front of a huge crowd. And I've got my boys up here from Carmel (Swim Club) that have helped me this whole semester and honestly I couldn't have done without them and obviously all of Indianapolis supporting me.”

Aaron Shackell set to compete in three other events at the U.S Olympic Swimming Trials

Aaron Shackell in action at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Swimming - Day 1

After holding off Olympic bronze-medalist Kieran Smith on the first day of the U.S Olympic Swimming Trials, Aaron Shackell isn't done just yet. The 19-year-old is set to compete in three other events in Indianapolis, the 200m freestyle, 200m butterfly, and the 100m butterfly.

Fans will get to watch the now-Olympian back in action on Sunday, June 16 itself as he takes to the water for his 200m freestyle heats. The finals for the same event is slated for Monday, June 17.

Meanwhile, the heat and finals for the 200m butterfly is scheduled for June 18 and 19. After this, Aaron Shackell will get a day of rest before his 100m butterfly heat takes place on June 21, with the finals taking place the next day.

Swimming enthusiasts excited to catch the youngster in action can tune into to live streams of the full competition on either NBC, NBC's Peacock, or the USA Network.