Ever since Frederick Lane’s golden glory at the 1900 Paris Olympics, Australia has been a nation known for producing swimming sensations. Names like Ian Thorpe, Grant Hackett, Dawn Fraser, and in more recent times, Cam McEvoy, Cate Campbell and Emma McKeon, to name a few. And as one generation passes, the next wave of homegrown talent emerges and propels itself into world super-stardom.
Front and centre of that wave is 21-year-old Sam Short. Small in stature but large in life, Sam has already amassed accolades in long-distance events at Commonwealth and World Championship levels in his career thus far, his most recent being a silver medal in the 400m at the Singapore World Championships last month, 13 months on from what many considered a ‘failure’ at the Paris Olympics. However, even though he had a rapid rise toward the pinnacle of international swimming, he’s become no stranger to obstacles and adversity in his efforts to stay there.
Growing up on the Sunshine Coast, Sam was always in and around the Maroochydore Surf Club. He says his dad Danny, a surf sports director for the club, and his uncle played huge roles in his love for swimming.
“There was a rule in my house; I wasn’t allowed to swim out in the backyard with my mates unless I did my swimming and nippers lessons,” he says.
An emerging star
Sam’s breakout swim onto the national scene came at just 14 when he broke world champion Mack Horton’s eight-year-old national age record in the 1500m. This didn’t come as a major surprise to a representative coach of his at the time, Mike Janes.
“He was a guy who let his actions do the talking,” Mike says. “All of the swims we put him into; he destroyed them all… we knew he had great things in store for him.”
Even after entering adulthood, Sam constantly remained around the podium. His win in the open surf teams event for Maroochydore in 2021 began a run which saw him not only qualify for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but win silver and gold for Australia in the 400m and 1500m freestyle events respectively. He would then go one step further in 2023, posting the 4th fastest time in history to win the 400m freestyle, whilst also medalling in the 800 and 1500m events – the first person to do so since his hero Grant Hackett in 2005.
However, Sam’s path to success and a maiden international title came far from easily. Just five weeks out from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, he was diagnosed with a melanoma on his lower back, almost derailing his entire training camp and podium ambitions.
“Training in Spain with 20 stitches in my back and having to touch turn because I was just unable to tumble turn … it was probably the most stressed I’ve ever been,” he says.
Still, there remained a quiet confidence within himself.
“I always believed I could still be successful … you do a whole year’s work; a couple of weeks of adversity isn’t going to affect the final picture.”
Facing tough health issues
However, worse was to come as Sam’s body began to physically burn out. He first tore the subscapularis in his shoulder early January of 2024, and later in the year, lost 5kgs in under 48 hours during Olympic qualifying trials. Although miraculously still qualifying, he produced lacklustre performances by his standards in Paris, failing to medal in any of the 400, 800 or 1500m events.
“Hitting the wall initially in that last event, it hadn’t sunk in; but walking back there was definite regret, like I’d just blown it, blown my opportunity,” he says.
Tough life lessons came thick and fast. Upon his return campaign at the Singapore world championships this year, torment and illness continued to plague him. Two weeks before the competition, Sam was informed that his aunt had passed away after a long battle with cancer. Then he was forced into quarantine after getting COVID-19 during camp but also had to withdraw later in the week from the 800 and 1500m finals due to food poisoning.
Somehow, amidst all of this, Sam was still able to swim well enough to claim silver in the 400m freestyle, finishing 0.02 of a second behind German rival Lukas Märtens.
“I was more annoyed when I looked up at the screen and saw my time … but to be back amongst the world’s best shows all the hard work I’d put in,” Sam says.
Nevertheless, Sam insists there’s plenty more work to be done. With many key events ahead of him next year, including the Commonwealth Games and the World and Pan Pacific Championships, he doesn’t want to settle for silver.
“I had a week out of the water after Worlds, and I couldn’t sit still; I just want to get after it all … literally every opportunity I can take to race I will,” he says.
Although in the very distant future, the dreams of success at a home 2032 Olympics in Brisbane have crossed his mind. At 28, Sam will be entering the peak of his powers going into the games, so success in his home state is not far-fetched for him.
And with everything he’s already achieved and overcome, with a strong preparation and a nation behind him on his every stroke, it begs the question: just what is this Australian superstar truly capable of?
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