Australia’s Swimming Queen Cate Campbell Announces Retirement
Australia’s most famous and beloved swimmer, Cate Campbell, has announced her retirement from the sport after being unable to qualify for the Paris Olympics this year. Just a week after withdrawing from the Australian Olympic Trials in Brisbane, she shared on social media on Wednesday, “It’s time to officially say goodbye to the dream I’ve had since I was 9 years old.”
Campbell missed out on making her fifth Olympic team as she did not qualify for the 100m and 50m freestyle events. This legendary athlete, with four Olympic experiences, eight Olympic medals, and seven world records, has cemented her place as one of the most recognized figures in Australian sports history.
The Legacy Left by a Legend
In her statement, Campbell said, “Despite having many conflicting emotions, especially since it didn’t end exactly as I had hoped, I can still look back without regret. I gave everything I had for my fifth Olympics, and because of that, there is a small, indelible kernel of pride even in failure.”
At the age of 32, Campbell made her mark as a young girl when she competed in the Beijing Games. She has won a total of 37 major international medals, 23 of which are gold. Regarded as one of the best relay swimmers of all time, most of Campbell’s medals came from team events, including gold medals in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the last three Olympics, all achieved in world record times.
A Dream Shared with Her Sister
Cate Campbell grew up training and competing alongside her younger sister, Bronte Campbell. The duo is known for battling viral fatigue after suffering from glandular fever while qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics. Young Campbell expressed her gratitude to her sister, writing, “When we were 7 and 9, sitting in the back of the car, we planned what we would do if we went to an Olympic Games together. We never imagined we would go to three Olympics, two Commonwealth Games, and three World Championships together. Sometimes reality is even better than imagined.”
Farewell to a Legend
Last week, Campbell concluded her final swim in front of a sold-out crowd in Brisbane, where her teammates immediately embraced her in the water to honor her. Tearfully, she said, “This is the perfect way to finish and leave the pool.” Tributes from some of the country’s most recognized athletes and powerful sports organizations continue to pour in. The latest world freestyle champion, Mollie O’Callaghan, said, “Cate really paved the way for us women. She set the standards and is one of the most inspiring women in and out of the water.”
Cate Campbell’s career will be remembered not just for the medals but also for her inspirational presence to many athletes. Her retirement marks the end of an era in Australian sports history, and her legacy will be cherished and respected for many years to come.
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