World Champs Profile: Aussie Meg Harris Has Developed into One of World’s Top Sprinters
Leading into the start of the World Championships this weekend, Swimming World will publish a handful of short profiles on top contenders for the podium in Singapore. Our next entry in this series features Australian Meg Harris, who has emerged as one of the premier sprinters in the sport.
Meg Harris
Australia
Events: 50 Freestyle
The Road to Singapore
While Harris has been a key relay cog for Australia for several years, she enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2024. In addition to winning the silver medal in the 50 freestyle at the Olympic Games in Paris, Harris cracked the 24-second barrier in the event with her 23.97 effort in the Olympic final.
At the Australian Trials for the World Championships, Harris opted to bypass the final of the 100 freestyle and placed her emphasis on the 50 free. That decision proved beneficial, as she produced a time of 24.17, which is good for fourth in the world heading to Singapore. In addition to the 50 free, Harris is expected to see considerable relay duty at the World Champs.
Top Career Achievement
Harris has been a key component of Australia’s relay success, especially in the 400 freestyle relay. With the help of Harris’ contributions, Australia has won the past two Olympic gold medals in the event, along with world titles in 2022 and 2023.
Previous World Champs Hardware
Between the 2022 and 2023 editions of the World Championships, Harris collected seven medals – six in relay action. Her individual medal was captured in 2022, when Harris secured the bronze medal in the 50 freestyle, finishing behind Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom and Poland’s Kasia Wasick.
Stat Fact
Only 18 women have ever broken the 24-second barrier in the 50 freestyle, and Australia leads the way with five members of the club. Harris is joined in that company by Cate Campbell, Emma McKeon, Libby Lenton and Shaya Jack.
World Champs Profiles
