RISING star Ella Ramsay joins an elite club of second-generation Olympians, following in the swim strokes of her father Heath.

Turning 20 just weeks out from the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Games, Ella said ever since she was a little girl she had dreamed of going to the Games and a second place behind Kaylee McKeown in the 200m individual medley at the Australian Selection Trials in June 2024 stamped her passport.

Ella’s dad Heath, also her first coach, represented Australia as a butterflyer at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Emulating her father at the Olympics will continue the family’s special journey in the pool, after Ella made the 2022 Commonwealth Games team for Birmingham 20 years after Heath competed in Manchester in 2002.

At the time, Ella said: “Being on the same boat as Dad and now being called an Aussie Dolphin is pretty sick … so hopefully, like him, I will be able to compete in the Olympics one day”.

And now she has made it.

In Birmingham, Ella reached the final of her only event, the 200m individual medley. She also reached the semi-finals at the world championships in Budapest in the lead-up to the Games.

A then 16-year-old Ella claimed a remarkable 14 medals at the 2021 Australian Age Championships, winning 10 events, including in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 200m and 400m individual medley. She also defended five titles at the 2022 championships.

Ella improved solidly through 2023 and has enjoyed an outstanding season in 2024 – finishing second to McKeown twice in the 200m and 400m individual medleys at the Australian Open Championships on the Gold Coast.

She completed a rare double at the Sydney Open in May, adding the 100m breaststroke to her opening night victory in the 400m freestyle.

“I’m really proud of myself on making the team,” she said.

“Last year was hard with sickness, going through glandular and tonsillitis.

“But it’s probably been the biggest blessing in disguise because it’s really driven me to another level this year.”

Training under Vince Raleigh at Chandler had also helped a lot as he is an outstanding breaststroke coach and has former world record- holder Zac Stubblety-Cook in his stable.

“Training alongside him has also pushed me to new levels with my breaststroke.”

POD POP UP STAT: The Ramsays (Ella and Heath) join the McKeons (Ron and Emma) and the Nays (Robbie and Meagen) as father-daughter duos who have swum for Australia.