Erin Gallagher takes relaxed approach as she qualifies for World Championships

At the conclusion of the SA National Swimming Championships in Gqeberha, Gallagher dipped under the qualifying mark in the heats of the 50m butterfly, clocking 25.93 seconds.

She chose to skip the evening final, which was won by 17-year-old Jessica Thompson in 26.47 seconds.

Gallagher says she took a relaxed approach to the race.

"I really just wanted to try a relaxed approached because every time that I've gotten to a race taking it too seriously, it hasn't gone my way. So, I was like, you know what, this is my last chance and I put everything I had into it and I was just really really happy to see that 25," Gallagher said.

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Gallagher, who is coached by veteran mentor Rocco Meiring, narrowly missed qualifying in the 100m butterfly on Saturday, but she’s not hitting the panic button just yet.

She says the year following the Olympics is more about experimenting and building for the future.

"So, going forward Rocco and I are gonna go back to the drawing board to see if I'm gonna go to the spring programme. World Champs is definitely on the cards but I think we're gonna really consider if it's gonna be worth training for it,” she added.

“Either way, I think it's gonna be a great experience but I think this year is a very important year to go back to full training. So that will definitely take preference but we still have some time to decide. If I get the opportunity to go to Singapore, I would love to."

World Aquatics made a major announcement ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board officially approved adding six new events, the men’s and women’s 50m backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, to the LA28 Olympic programme.

A move that excites Gallagher.

"It's really exciting and I think it’s great to recognise swimming and I think it's so exciting because some people don't take 50m seriously but as a 50m swimmer I'm very protective over them.

“They are tough races, everything has to be perfect, if one thing goes wrong, you have a split second to decide on what to do next and I think it's a really interesting race and it's a really competitive race."