Kristel Köbrich will make history this summer when she takes to the pool at the French capital. Chile's most famous swimmer is set to fulfil her dream of taking part in her sixth Olympic Games. She received her invitation from World Aquatics. The Chilean reached the final of the 1500m at the World Championships in Doha earlier this year. The invitation will allow her to be among the best at the Olympic Games.

She made her debut in Athens in 2004 and has since competed in five Games. Paris is the sixth, making her one of only five swimmers to have competed in half a dozen Games.

She made her Olympic debut at Athens 2004, competing in the 800m, an event she will also be competing in at Paris 2024. Her best result in an Olympic event was in the 800m at London 2012, where she finished 14th. She will also be competing in the 1500m at Tokyo 2020.

Köbrich will turn 39 during the competition, similar to another athlete in this select record group, Swedish swimmer Alshammar, who was competing in her sixth Games after turning 39 at Rio 2016. Alshammar was already a mother. 

She won two silver and one bronze medal at Sydney 2000. Another member of this select club is her compatriot Lars Frölander, who won gold at the Australian Games to add to his silver medals in Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996.

Turkish swimmer Derya Büyükuncu, who debuted at Barcelona '92 and competed at London 2012 before retiring, and Tunisian Oussama Mellouli complete the group of five. Mellouli set another record at Tokyo 2020 when he became the first swimmer to win medals in both the pool (1500 metres) and open water (ten kilometres) at the same Olympic Games. 

If it were not for his age - he is 40 years old - he would have been at Paris 2024 as well. There is an Olympic rule that prohibits athletes from competing after the age of 40. Currently, Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino boxer and world champion in several divisions, is trying to take part in Paris 2024. He has requested a special invitation from the Philippine committee, but the IOC has not granted it.

The history of the Olympic Games is a story full of achievements and records.Australian rider Andrew Hoy, 65, was left off the list a few weeks ago. Forty years ago, he made his debut in Los Angeles in 1984. Now he will not be able to fulfil his dream of competing in his ninth Olympic Games as he has not been selected for Australia. 

The three-time gold medallist expressed his disappointment but, despite his veteran status, has not ruled out an Olympic career. The only other rider to have competed in 10 Olympic Games is Canadian Ian Millar.