"It makes me swim faster" - Aaron Shackell wasn't 'nervous' putting on a show in front of record attendance at U.S. Swimming Olympic Team Trials

Aaron Shackell stated why he was confident about putting on a great show at the 2024 U.S. Swimming Olympic Team Trials. He recently hogged the spotlight after qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the men’s 400m freestyle. In the first final at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, the 19-year-old swam a time of 3:45.46 to secure his spot in the Olympic team.

Besides Shackell, the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Kieran Smith was the other swimmer to qualify for consecutive Summer Games as he swam a time of 3:45.76 in the finals. Earlier in the day, Shackell had clocked a time of 3:47.96 during the heats of the 400m freestyle, where he finished fourth overall.

After winning the 400m freestyle trials, Shackell exuded confidence, noting how he swam faster in front of 20,000 people at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in an interview with Swimswam news organization, stating:

“A lot people get nervous when they look at 20,000 people or a big stadium - for me, it makes me swim faster.”

Aaron Shackell also mentioned that it was his dream to perform in front of a huge crowd and competing in the Lucas Oil Stadium, which is the home stadium for the NFL team Indianapolis Colts, was a significant opportunity for him to show his talent, stating:

“I’ve always dreamed of performing in front of a basketball or a football stadium, at least when I was a kid. And in swimming, you don’t always have the opportunity. So getting an opportunity to put on a show in front of 20,000 fans, it’s everything to me.”

In March 2024, Shackell featured at the Speedo Sectionals held in Indianapolis where he claimed three titles in the 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, and 400m freestyle with times of 49.46, 1:46.35, and 3:48.92.

All of Aaron Shackell’s family members are swimmers

Aaron Shackell reacts after the Men's 400m freestyle final on Day One of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on June 15, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Aaron Shackell's parents, Nicholas and Ali, were both All-American swimmers at Auburn University. His father Nicholas Shackell, also known as Nick, represented Great Britain at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 1994 and 1998 Commonwealth Games. Throughout his participation in the Commonwealth Games, he bagged four bronze medals.

Meanwhile, Aaron’s siblings, including twin brother Andrew Shackell and sister Alex Shackell, are also swimmers and participating in the 2024 U.S. Swimming Olympic Team Trials, slated from June 15 to 23.