By Josh Squire 

Oh la-la performance at debut Games sees Jamie Perkins claim a gold medal in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay and a PB in the 400m freestyle.

In a Games that was swept up in the achievements of Australian teenagers, Jamie Perkins was another rising star in the pool carving her own lane to gold.

The 19-year-old Perkins hit the pool on the first day of competition and immediately locked horns with a trio of the best female swimmers in the world.

Qualifying for the 400m freestyle final in a personal best time of 4:03.30, Perkins duelled with teammate, seven-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and world record-holder Ariarne Titmus, American swimming legend Katie Ledecky and superstar Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh in a highly anticipated final.

The quality of the field would scare some but for Perkins, it was exciting.

“I train with the two-time Olympic champion and world record-holder, so I know the work it takes to be the best but it was nice to have Arnie in the race as someone familiar,” Perkins said.

“Racing girls that I had admired … and learning to believe … [I] … can actually be one of the girls inspiring the next generation [was exciting].”

Not able to steal a medal from the heavily favoured trio, Perkins’ Olympic debut only got better.

Joining the likes of five-time Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and best mate Mollie O’Callaghan, the teenager won gold for Australia in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay as part of the heat team that qualified the Dolphins for the final.

Reflecting on the “dream come true” that was her Olympic experience, Perkins noted that there were some significant learnings for her career too, especially in trusting the process.

“The Olympics is a very uncontrollable environment so you just have to roll with all the punches thrown at you and [believe] that you can still get up and race fast,” she said.

At such an early point in her career, it would surprise no one if she saw the Olympic successes as the peak of her career so far. But it’s not.

Perkins’ prized performance doesn’t come from her experience at the La Défense Arena in Paris but rather her victory in the 400m freestyle at the World Junior Swimming Championships in Netanya, Israel, last year.

“The amount of work I put into that prep and what I overcame to get there, [it] was rewarding to take away that win,” she said.

Thankful to be recognised as the Commonwealth Games Australia Emerging Athlete of the Month for July, Perkins also shared her appreciation for her family who enabled her to pursue her dreams.

“My sister inspired me so much as a kid and ignited my competitive drive. [My family] have all made a lot of sacrifices and been with me through the highs and lows … I’m grateful to have a lot of good people in my life supporting my dreams.”

While still volunteering her time as a surf lifesaver, Perkins’ commitment to the pool seems locked in.

Alongside her coach, Dean Boxall, and some superstar teammates in Titmus and O’Callaghan at St Peters Western, the future is bright for a blossoming star following in the footsteps of some of Australia’s greatest swimmers.

And Perkins is ready to grab her opportunity with both hands.

“I am eager for this next cycle and becoming more known on the senior stage. I plan to keep learning after every swim and get faster every time I get in the water.”

The Commonwealth Games serves as a platform for developing the future stars of Australian sport and the Emerging Athlete of the Year forms part of a refreshed Awards and Honours program developed by the CGA Heritage and Awards Committee.

The CGA Emerging Athlete of the Year Award celebrates the next generation of Australian sport stars and those that may make an impact for Australia at major sport events in the future.

Over the course of 2024, an athlete will be recognised each month as the Emerging Athlete of the Month and will receive a $500 contribution towards their training and competition expenses.

Three finalists from the monthly winners will then split a $7000 cash prize, with the winner receiving $5000 and the two runners-up $1000 respectively.