James Magnussen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
James Magnussen

Personal information
Nickname(s)	"The Magnet", "The Missile", "Maggie"
Born	(1991-04-11) 11 April 1991 (age 34) Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia
Height	2 m (6 ft 7 in)
Weight	94 kg (207 lb)
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Freestyle
Club	Ravenswood Swim Club
Coach	Mitch Falvey
Medal record Men's swimming Representing  Australia Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 0 1 2 World Championships (LC) 3 2 0 Pan Pacific Championships 1 1 1 Commonwealth Games 4 1 1 Total 8 5 4 Olympic Games Silver 2012 London 100 m freestyle Bronze 2012 London 4×100 m medley Bronze 2016 Rio de Janeiro 4×100 m freestyle World Championships (LC) Gold 2011 Shanghai 100 m freestyle Gold 2011 Shanghai 4×100 m freestyle Gold 2013 Barcelona 100 m freestyle Silver 2011 Shanghai 4×100 m medley Silver 2013 Barcelona 4×100 m medley Pan Pacific Championships Gold 2014 Gold Coast 4×100 m freestyle Silver 2010 Irvine 4×100 m freestyle Bronze 2014 Gold Coast 100 m freestyle Commonwealth Games Gold 2010 Delhi 4×100 m freestyle Gold 2014 Glasgow 100 m freestyle Gold 2014 Glasgow 4×100 m freestyle Gold 2018 Gold Coast 4×100 m freestyle Silver 2014 Glasgow 4×100 m medley Bronze 2014 Glasgow 50 m freestyle

James Magnussen, born on April 11, 1991, is a famous Australian swimmer who has now retired. He was a world champion in the 100-metre freestyle race in both 2011 and 2013. He also holds one of the fastest times ever recorded for the 100-metre freestyle.

James has won many awards in big swimming competitions. He earned 16 medals in total, including eight gold, five silver, and three bronze. These medals came from events like the Olympics, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and Pan Pacific Championships. He stopped competing professionally on June 5, 2019.

James Magnussen's Swimming Journey

Starting Out in 2010

In 2010, James Magnussen began to make a name for himself. At the Australian Swimming Championships, he finished third in the 100-metre freestyle. This result helped him join Australia's national swimming team.

Later that year, at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, James helped his team win a silver medal. He swam the last part of the 4×100-metre freestyle relay. He then competed at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, where he won a gold medal in the 4×100-metre freestyle relay with his teammates.

World Champion in 2011

The year 2011 was a big one for James. He won the 100-metre freestyle at the Australian Championships. This meant he would go to the World Aquatics Championships.

At the 2011 World Aquatics Championships, James won three medals. He got a gold medal in the 4×100-metre freestyle relay. He swam the first leg of the race very fast. A few days later, he became the first Australian man to win the 100-metre freestyle at a World Championships. He finished the competition with a silver medal in the 4×100-metre medley relay. His fast freestyle leg almost helped his team win gold.

Australian Olympic Trials in 2012

In 2012, James competed at the Australian Swimming Championships, which were also the trials for the Olympics. He became the national champion in both the 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle races.

In the 100-metre freestyle, he swam an amazing time of 47.10 seconds. This was one of the fastest times ever recorded. He also won the 50-metre freestyle, setting a new personal best.

London 2012 Olympic Games

At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, James Magnussen won two medals. He earned a silver medal in the 100-metre freestyle race, finishing just one-hundredth of a second behind the winner. He also won a bronze medal in the 4×100-metre medley relay.

In the 4×100-metre freestyle relay, his team finished fourth. James did not make it to the final in the 50-metre freestyle event.

World Championships & FINA World Cup in 2013

James continued his success at the 2013 World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona. His team finished fourth in the 4×100-metre freestyle relay.

However, James successfully defended his title in the 100-metre freestyle, winning gold again. He also helped Australia win a silver medal in the 4×100-metre medley relay. Soon after, he competed in the FINA World Cup and won the 100-metre freestyle event.

Challenges and Comebacks in 2014

In 2014, James started the season strong. At the Australian Championships, he was beaten in the 100-metre freestyle by Cameron McEvoy. Despite this, he still qualified for the Commonwealth Games.

At the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, James won a gold medal in the 100-metre freestyle. He also earned two relay medals and a bronze in the 50-metre freestyle. He faced some challenges with injuries, including a lower back injury and a shoulder injury that needed surgery in 2015.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games

James Magnussen competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. He won a bronze medal as part of the Australian 4×100-metre freestyle relay team.

Commonwealth Games Gold in 2018

In 2018, James was part of the Australian team that won another gold medal. This was in the men's 4×100-metre freestyle relay at the Commonwealth Games held on the Gold Coast.

Return to Swimming in 2024-2025

In February 2024, James Magnussen announced he would come out of retirement to join the Enhanced Games. He was offered $1 million if he could break the men's 50-metre freestyle record. However, in May 2025, another swimmer, Kristian Gkolomeev, unofficially broke the 50-metre freestyle world record at a private event. This meant Gkolomeev won the $1 million prize instead.

Best Swimming Times

Television Appearances

In 2020, James Magnussen was on the TV show SAS Australia. In 2023, he also appeared on the show Dancing with the Stars, where he danced with Natalie Lowe.

See also

In Spanish: James Magnussen para niños

• List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)
• List of Commonwealth Games medallists in swimming (men)