Team GB's McMillan savouring chance at Olympic medal after nationality switch

Belfast's Jack McMillan is savouring the chance to boost his career with an Olympic medal after a switch in nationality saw him chosen for Paris 2024.

The 24-year-old has been named as part of Team GB's 30-strong swimming squad for this summer's Olympic Games, having previously represented the Republic of Ireland in the pool at Tokyo 2020.

It's a switch that the swimmer is pleased to have made in his pursuit of a medal, with McMillan now set to be part of Britain's 4x200m freestyle relay as they get set to defend their Olympic title in the City of Lights.

"The last Games I obviously represented a different country but the transition into GB was a good move for me as it helps my career and is a bigger team," he said.

"There are more medal opportunities over here but I'm just so honoured to represent Team GB.

"It was also a natural move for me as I moved to Stirling to train and so all of my GB teammates were around me."

McMillan is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – this is vital for his pathway to the Paris 2024 Games.

McMillan enjoyed a multitude of success in his junior career, with one of his greatest memories coming from his first international outing for Ireland at the world famous European Olympic Festival aged 15.

It was a moment that he believes set him up perfectly for his future Olympic endeavours on the senior stage and injected that 'cool' factor into his swimming.

"My first junior international was for Ireland at the age of 15," said McMillan.

"I went to the European Youth Olympics which was my first sight into international competitions, and it was such a cool experience since there was a village and a multi-sport atmosphere.

"At such a young age, it definitely spurred me on to do more."

McMillan was part of an Irish quartet that finished 14th in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay at Tokyo, clocking a new national record of 1:46.66 in the process.

But with bigger dreams on his mind, the swimmer decided to make the switch to represent Great Britain in 2022 when moving to train under Steve Tigg at the University of Stirling.

Since then, McMillan has soared to new heights, clinching a spot on the relay for Paris 2024 with a new personal best and fifth place finish at the 2024 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships.

It's a culmination of success that McMillan believes he has always been set for, leading the way in the pool since he first dipped his toes in the deep end at Avoneil Leisure Centre.

"I was about four years old when I started swimming," he said.

"My dad worked at the local leisure centre, so that's how I got into swimming lessons.

"I started competing around eight years old and definitely had a natural feel for it compared to the other kids.

"It was that natural love at the start and knowing that I was quite a bit better than the other kids which spurred me on as well.

"I was always the best from an early age, and I wanted to continue that."

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