Geelong swimmers among Australia’s elite at Virtus World Championships

GEELONG will be represented on the world stage later this month, when two of the region’s top swimmers don the green and gold to compete at the 2025 Virtus World Swimming Championships in Thailand.

Geelong Swimming Club members Bradley Doolan and Ryan McGrane were selected to join the elite team of 30 athletes, after posting strong performances at the Australian Championships earlier this year in April.

The Virtus World Swimming Championships is a major international event that brings together athletes with intellectual disabilities from around the world to compete at the highest level.

It will be a busy competition for both athletes with Doolan to race in seven events over the 10-day competition, including his signature 200m and 400m individual medley events, while McGrane will compete in 10.

Neither Doolan nor McGrane are strangers to the pressures of international competition, both returned home from the 2023 Virtus Global Games, held in France, with bronze medals for their efforts.

This time around both swimmers are aiming for personal bests.

“I love representing my country in the green and gold for Australia. It’s very special,” Doolan said.

“It’s special going away with swimmers from other countries and being friends with them.”

Coach Rob Steinman congratulated both swimmers on their selection, praised them for their hard work, and wished them well for the competition.

The championships will run from August 20 to August 30.