James Roberts

James Roberts (born 11 April 1991) is a retired Australian swimmer. In the 100-meter freestyle, Roberts did not advance past the semifinals, and finished 10th overall with a time of 48.49.

At the 2012 Australian Championships, which also served as Australia's Olympic trials, Roberts qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics by placing second in the 100-metre freestyle. In the 100-metre freestyle final, Roberts recorded a personal best of 47.63 seconds, finishing behind James Magnussen who won in 47.10. In the 50-meter freestyle final, Roberts placed 4th in 22.31.

In his first event at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the 4×100-metre freestyle relay, Roberts swam the anchor leg in a time of 48.09. The Australian team, although the favorites, failed to medal and placed fourth in the final with a time of 3:11.63. Roberts also swam in the heats of the 4×100-metre freestyle relay and recorded a time of 48.22 as the second leg. After recording a time of 48.93 in the heats of the 100-metre freestyle, Roberts failed to advance to the final, posting a time of 48.57 in the semifinals. As a result of illness, Roberts was left off the 4×100-metre medley relay in the heats.

At the 2016 Australian Championships, Roberts finished third in the 100-metre freestyle in a time of 48.32. This did not automatically qualify him for the 4×100-metre freestyle relay, as Australia had finished outside the top 12 at the 2015 World Championships. Because 4 additional berths were yet to be allocated to the fastest non-qualified nations from 1 March 2015 to 31 May 2016, Swimming Australia ensured qualification by organising a time trial. Australia posted a time of 3:12.26, with Roberts recording 48.63 on the first leg. This placed Australia first among the non-qualified nations, remaining so at the end of the qualifying period. Roberts was subsequently named to the Olympic team on 7 June 2016.

At the 2016 Olympic Games, Roberts competed in the 4×100-metre freestyle relay, splitting 48.88 on the first leg. Australia won the bronze medal in a time of 3:11.37.

In December 2021, Roberts announced his retirement from swimming at the age of 30.

Personal bests . EventTimeVenueDate 100 m freestyle (long course) 47.63 Adelaide 19 March 2012