The Olympics have long been a stage for showcasing familial athletic prowess, and the Paris Summer Games continue that tradition. Team USA features siblings Brooke and Emma DeBerdine in field hockey and Chase and Ryder Dodd in polo. In badminton, the Bulgarian Stoeva sisters faced off against the American Xu twins in a gripping women’s doubles match, emerging victorious.

Now, another sibling pair is making splashes across the Olympic arena. We are talking about Aaron and Alex Shackell, who have mesmerized audiences with their swimming prowess. So, who are the swimmer siblings, and how has their journey been in the Paris Olympics? Let’s unfold the story behind them and learn about their ascent to the top athletic event.

Meet the Olympic swimming siblings, Alex and Aaron Shackell

Aaron Shackell, the 19-year-old Indiana native and brother of Alex Shackell, began honing his swimming talents early in childhood. He excelled at school in swimming competitions and played a key role in the Carmel High School Boys’ effort for an 8th-straight Indiana Championship. All his hard work will pay off at the US Olympic Swim Trial 2024. In an incredible display of his swimming talents, Aaron clinched the top spot in the 400-meter freestyle trial, clocking 3:45.46. More amazing than that, Aaron overshadowed two-time Olympic medalist Robert Finke, pushing him to the fourth spot and quashing his Olympic dream.

With that incredible feat, Aaron, alongside her younger sister Alex Shackell, became the first set of siblings to earn spots on the US swimming team since 2004. That said, Aaron’s quest at the Paris Olympics has ended now. After qualifying for the final with the third spot in the heat event, Aaron could only secure the 8th spot in the 400m freestyle final with a 3:47.00 clock time. Germany’s L. Märtens bagged the gold, clocking 3:41.78. Meanwhile, his younger sister, Alex, has had a sensational career so far and she has been making waves since qualifying for the Paris Olympics.

After watching the Rio events, Alex resolved to make it to the Olympics. “You’re either going to set up for an awesome moment or incredible disappointment,” Carmel Swim Club head coach Chris Plumb told her at the time. Well, it became apparent that Alex was poised for awesome moments when she secured Olympics spots for 200m butterfly and 4×200 freestyle relay. Putting up an excellent display of skills, Alex ended second in the 200-meter butterfly with a 2:06.69 time at the 2024 Olympic Swim Trials in Lucas Oil Stadium.

However, the glory moment was already coming when Alex secured silver in the 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay at the 2023 Women’s World Championship. The incredible run of Alex continued at the Paris Olympics as well. The Carmel swimming star is poised to compete in the women’s 200m butterfly finals after finishing second in the semifinal behind China’s YF Zhang with a run time of 2:06.46. Interestingly, the family has more sporting talent beyond just the Shackell siblings.

Not just Alex and Aaron, the Shackell family has yet another Olympian

Alex Shackell once said, “My whole life, I’ve wanted to be an Olympian, Ever since my dad explained to me what it was.” Well, her dad was speaking from his own experience. That’s true.

Long before Alex and Aron made their Olympic ascent, their father had already competed in the top sporting event. Nick Shackell, the 49-year-old father of the Shackell siblings, is a professional swimmer. He represented Great Britain at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, competing in the 100-meter freestyle, 4×100 meters freestyle relay, and 4×100 meters medley relay. However, his most notable performance came at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, where he earned three bronze medals for England.

The Shackell family is a prime example of talent running in the blood. With Alex Shackell set to compete in the women’s 200m butterfly finals, the family will be eagerly cheering her on. Could she bring home a medal and add to their Olympic legacy? Share your thoughts in the comments section!