By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam
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Cindy Wu from Shanghai, China, and Olivia Emmett from Cambridge, New Zealand, will join the Harvard Crimson in 2026-27.
Both Harvard’s men’s and women’s teams have become increasingly more international over the last few recruiting cycles. Wu and Emmett’s addition will bring the overseas tally to 43% of Harvard women’s class of 2030. They will join swimmers Clare Custer, Emma Miner, Frances Muir, and Malia Ma, and diver Victoria Wang on the Crimson roster next fall.
Cindy Wu
Wu swims for her school, Shanghai Star River Bilingual School, and specializes mainly in sprint free, fly, and IM. She trained and competed with Irvine Novaquatics in the summer of 2024, swimming at Los Angeles Invite, Fullerton Sectionals, and Speedo Summer Championships. At LAI, she came in 9th in the 50 free (26.43), 11th in the 100 free (57.58), 7th in the 200 free (PB of 2:03.57), and 17th in the 100 fly (1:03.35). Two weeks later, in Fullerton, she won the 100 free (57.11), 100 fly (PB of 1:02.62), and 200 IM (PB of 2:21.62). She wrapped up the summer in Irvine, placing 25th in the 50 free (26.10), 26th in the 100 free (57.07), and 26th in the 200 free (PB of 2:03.16).
Wu’s best times, converted, would have scored in the ‘A’ finals of the 50 free, 100 free, and 200 free at the 2025 Ivy League Women’s Championships.
Best LCM times (converted):
- 50 free – 26.01 (22.71)
- 100 free – 56.92 (49.83)
- 200 free – 2:03.16 (1:48.07)
- 100 fly – 1:02.62 (55.15)
- 200 IM – 2:21.62 (2:04.70)
Olivia Emmett
“I’m so excited to announce my verbal commitment to the admissions process at Harvard University to continue my academic and athletic careers! Thank you to my coaches, teachers, friends and also my dedicated family – this wouldn’t have been possible without you. I’d also like to thank Coach Amanda and Coach Geordie for this incredible opportunity and for making this dream a reality. I can’t wait to join the @harvardwswimdive family. GO CRIMSON! 
”
Emmett attends Cambridge High School and swims for Club 37. She is also a freestyle specialist, but her sweet spot is more in the middle-distance range. In September, she won the 200 free (2:02.32) and 400 free (4:13.82) and was runner-up in the 800 free (8:53.79) at the New Zealand Short Course Championships. She achieved PBs in all three of those events (2:01.12/ 4:13.04/ 8:43.15) at the 2024 New Zealand Short Course Championships, where she was crowned triple national champion in the 16 years age category.
Her best long-course performances date from the 2024 New Zealand Age Group Championships. She won the 16 years title in the 200 free (2:04.14), 400 free (4:22.35), and 800 free (9:01.12), and was runner-up in the 100 free (58.00) and 1500 free (17:19.51).
Emmett’s best converted times would have scored for the Crimson in the ‘A’ final of the 500 free and the ‘B’ final of the 200 free at last year’s conference championships.
Best SCM times (converted):
- 200 free – 2:01.12 (1:49.11)
- 400 free – 4:13.04 (4:49.18)
- 800 free – 8:43.15 (9:57.88)
*Note: A verbal commitment between an Ivy League coach and a prospective student-athlete is not an offer of admission, as only the Admission Office has that authority. The coach can only commit his or her support in the admission process. Ivy League Admission Offices do not issue “Likely Letters” before October 1 of the prospective student-athlete’s senior year of high school. The Likely Letter, while issued after an initial read of the student’s application, is not an offer of admission to the university.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.
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Read the full story on SwimSwam: Harvard Women Add 2 International Swimmers for 2026-27: Cindy Wu and Olivia Emmett
