The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has announced Olympic bronze medallists Anabelle Smith and Maddison Keeney as the first two divers on the Australian Olympic Team for Paris 2024.  

The duo will join forces once again to compete in the women's 3m synchronised diving event, the first time in Olympic competition since their bronze medal performance at Rio 2016.

Anabelle has been selected to her fourth Australian Olympic Team, while Maddison will contest her second Olympic Games in Paris after injury ruled her out of Tokyo 2020. 

The selection comes a week after the pair achieved a gold medal finish at the Olympic Test event in Paris and World Championship silver earlier this year.  

Despite living and training nearly 2000 kilometres apart, Smith in Melbourne and Keeney in Brisbane, the pair have shown they are in sync with multiple World Cup podiums throughout the season. 

Smith will become just the fourth Australian diver to compete at four Games, joining Melissa Wu, Jenny Donnet and Loudy Wiggins. 

Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Anna Meares congratulated the athletes on their selection.  

"Congratulations to Anabelle and Maddison on their selection to the Australian Olympic Team for Paris,” Ms Meares said.  

“I am in awe of these athletes, who train in two different states, at two different venues, under different coaches, but are able to come together on competition day and perform when it counts, and in sync!” 

“Anabelle has shown incredible resilience in her return from injury, and it's inspiring to see her back on the world stage, on her fourth Olympic Team no less, competing alongside Maddison in the synchronised event,” she continued. 

“They have had some incredible results over the past few months alone and I can't wait to see what they're able to achieve in Paris.” 

“Congratulations again to both of these athletes, I extend my congratulations to their families, coaches, supporters and of course Diving Australia, without whom the Olympic dream would not be possible for these athletes,” Ms Meares concluded. 

Smith’s return to the top echelon of global divers marks a staggering return, with the 31-year-old suffering an achilles injury only 18 months ago. 

Smith said she was proud to be selected for a fourth Australian Olympic Team.  

“I have been fortunate to represent Australia for almost 15 years, and have had some incredible success, along with some really challenging times,” Smith said. “To be announced on my fourth Olympic team, alongside Maddi, is an incredible feeling, and a testament to the work I’ve put in, but also to the team I have had around me.  

“I have been really happy with my form, returning to competition this year after a long time on the sidelines recovering from my ruptured achilles.

“I didn’t know what to expect coming back from that significant of an injury, so I was relieved to see all the hard work and focus on my rehab get rewarded back in the pool. I am feeling strong and confident, and also with a new perspective of this bonus time in my career.” 

Queensland based Keeney was thrilled to lock in selection for her second Australian Olympic Team. 

“I am so happy and proud to be selected for the Games again. It's a huge relief to have our 3-Metre Synchro selection locked in so I can focus on preparing for the rest of the Olympic Trials, and the Games themselves. 

“My preparations are going well for upcoming individual selections, we have just finished the World Cup circuit which was the perfect competition practice leading into it.  

“After I missed Tokyo 2020 due to injury it was definitely difficult to stay motivated, especially when the Games were on. After I recovered from a few of my injuries I was able to find my passion for the sport again which gave me the motivation to get back to my best form. I also have unfinished business in the pool, and having Belle by my side every step of the way helped me get back here.” 

The duo’s 2024 World Championship silver earned them auto-nomination under Diving Australia’s nomination criteria, with Diving Australia’s national trials in June set to determine the rest of the squad for Paris. 

Diving Australia Chair Liz Jack welcomed the announcement.  

“Diving Australia is so proud of Anabelle and Maddison on their selection to represent Australia in Paris. I know how hard Maddi and Belle have trained to make it to this point, and the sacrifices they’ve made; it’s amazing to see that their hard work has paid off,” Ms Jack said.  

"To have such a formidable and experienced team heading to the Olympic Games is incredibly exciting.” 

“I can't wait to see what Belle and Maddi will achieve in Paris. And, on behalf of the entire Australian diving community, I wish them all the very best as they head into their final preparations – and on to the Games themselves,” she concluded.