The swimming world has been buzzing with excitement as the World Aquatics Championships unravels in Doha, Qatar. While Britain saw Tom Daley secure a comeback victory ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024, the U.S.A. finalized its second representative in the 10k open water event. The 20-year-old, Mariah Denigan from North Kentucky swam quickly enough at the World Championships to earn her maiden Olympic berth.

While Paris 2024 will mark her first Olympics, she comes with a lot of experience from the World Swimming Championships and the Pan American Games. Denigan is a 2019 silver medalist at the Pan American games, and it’s just the start of her career.

Mariah Denigan’s road to Paris 2024

Mariah Denigan is an open water specialist, and finally, she will compete at the grandest stage, this time in Seine, Paris. She took part in the 10k open water event at the World Aquatic Championships and finished 6th. The posted time of 1:57:31:10 was enough for her to secure the Olympic qualification, marking the onset of the most glorious and toughest phase of her career.

Mariah will have a chance to secure qualification for the second event in 5k open water on Wednesday. But for now, she is excited to experience the Olympic dream. “I knew (I was headed for the Olympics) when I was heading into the finish buoy. I could see what place I was in, and I was like I did it, even before I finished.“, she said post the event. Whether Mariah secures the 5k open water berth or not, she’s well on the path to having a remarkable career.

Mariah Denigan is one for the future

Mariah Denigan has grown up swimming with the Florence Hammerheads and now she is coached by former U. S open water coach Cory Chitwood at Indiana University. The 2024 World Aquatic Championship marked her 3rd appearance in three years while she has already won a medal in the Pan American Games as a 16-year-old.

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At the 2022, FINA World Swimming Championships, Mariah finished 15th in 10k open water and 7th in the USA Mixed Team relay. At the 2019 Pan American Games, she won silver in the 800m meter freestyle while a 400m individual medley saw her finish 5th in the final swim. As she secures the Olympic qualification, Mariah becomes the fifth woman in American history to qualify for the Olympics in 10k.

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