Michael Brinegar
FUNCHAL, Portugal — Michael Brinegar took the next step toward a possible run at the 2024 Summer Olympics Saturday morning when he qualified for the 2024 World Aquatics Championships Feb. 4 in Doha, Qatar.
On Saturday, Brinegar finished 40th out of 92 swimmers in the 10K in the 2023 World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup off the island of Funchal, Portugal. He was the second of 10 Americans and secured the second of two qualifying spots for the World Championships.
Competing in his first open water competition since April 21, Brinegar finished in 1 hour, 46 minutes, 38.40 seconds. Domenico Acerenza of Italy won in 1:45:06.20. Ivan Puskotovich was the top American, finishing 24th overall in 1:45:40.50.
Brinegar will return to southern California to train with fellow Columbus native Brady Beyer and their club, The Swim Team, until Brinegar leaves for Qatar. The top 13 finishers in Doha will qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Brinegar competed in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in the 1,500- and 800-meter freestyle events.
