The four-time Olympian could not overcome a crack field in the 50m freestyle at the trials, but the highlight came just after all her race rivals had touched the wall.
Cate Campbell’s quest to become the first Australian swimmer to contest five Olympics ended on Saturday with seventh place, tears and an “incredibly special” post-race embrace with rivals to cement the legacy of a sporting great.
But the 32-year-old could not overcome another crack field in the one-lap sprint at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre, clocking 24.76 seconds to finish behind winner Shayna Jack and Meg Harris . “It is bittersweet,” an emotional Campbell told Channel Nine after the race. “It’s not the fairytale ending that I had hoped for, that I’d worked so hard for. The mind was willing but the body was a little bit lacking.
Cate Campbell is surrounded by her fellow competitors after swimming the final of the women’s 50m freestyle.Campbell, who made her Olympic debut at Beijing 2008, took 18 months off after the Tokyo Games in 2021 before returning to training with a Paris swansong in mind.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Touching moment caps golden career as Cate Campbell’s Paris dream dashedThe four-time Olympian could not overcome a crack field in the 50m freestyle at the trials, but the highlight came just after all her race rivals had touched the wall.
Read more »
Tributes flow for 'inspirational' Cate Campbell after Olympic Games bid endsCate Campbell has put everything she had into swimming. After her career ended in heartbreak, her competitors showed her just how much she meant to them.
Read more »
Australian swimming legend Cate Campbell in tears after missing out on Olympics team7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Cate Campbell gives herself final chance of Olympic selection on last day of Australia Swimming TrialsCate Campbell has reached the final of the 50 metres freestyle, giving her one one shot at making the Olympic swimming team for the Paris 2024 Games.
Read more »
Cate Campbell gives herself final chance of Olympic selection on last day of Australia Swimming TrialsCate Campbell has reached the final of the 50 metres freestyle, giving her one one shot at making the Olympic swimming team for the Paris 2024 Games.
Read more »
Why 0.01 of a second may wreck Cate Campbell’s Olympic hopesThe four-time Games gold medallist failed to qualify for the 100m freestyle final.
Read more »