Isabella Millar Finishes Eighth

16-year-old Solomon Islands Swimmer finishes eighth in women’s 50m freestyle heat in Paris

Isabella Millar competed in the third heat of the women’s 50m freestyle at the Olympics on Friday 3rd August 2024. With strong competition, Millar finished eighth with a time of 31.32 seconds.

Isabella Rosa Millar, born on November 8, 2007, started swimming at the age of three. Living, studying, and training in New South Wales, Australia, she balances her athletic ambitions with her academic responsibilities as a Year 11 student. Her training schedule typically involves four to five sessions a week, which she reduces during exam periods.

The race was led by Lois Eliora Irishura of Burundi, who finished first with a time of 29.63 seconds. Mayah Chouloute of Haiti followed closely with a time of 29.78 seconds, and Jasmine Schofield of Dominica finished third at 29.91 seconds. Kaelyn Ciara Suryanti Djoparto from Suriname secured the fourth position with a time of 29.99 seconds.

Iman Kouraogo from Burkina Faso finished fifth at 30.33 seconds. The sixth and seventh positions were filled by Mst Sonia Khatun from Bangladesh and Yuri Hosei from Palau, both recording a time of 30.52 seconds with Isabella Millar, finishing eight in the competition with a time of 31.32 seconds.

Millar’s qualification for the Olympics came after reaching the finals in the Oceania Swimming Championships in Gold Coast, Australia, earlier this year. She expressed excitement about competing in Paris, noting the surreal experience of participating in the Olympic Games.

Her main goal at Paris 2024 is to record a personal best time. The Pre-Games Training Camp in Divonne-les-Bains was instrumental in her preparations. Millar thanked her family, friends, and supporters for their encouragement.

Isabella Millar was the Solomon Islands’ flag bearer at the Olympics opening ceremony. She is one of two athletes representing the Solomon Islands at the Olympic Games, the other being Sharon Firisua.