Australian swimming legend Cate Campbell has missed out on a record-breaking fifth Olympics as her glittering career came to an end.
Bidding to become the first Australian swimmer to race at five Olympics, Campbell finished seventh in the 50m freestyle at the trials in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Only the top two place-getters — Shayna Jack (23.99 seconds) and Meg Harris (24.26) — will race the event at the Paris Games starting on July 26.
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Campbell made a blistering start, but faded late to touch the wall in a time of 24.76.
Campbell, after missing qualifying for the 100m freestyle final by one hundredth of a second on Friday night, ends her Olympic career with four gold, one silver and three bronze medals.
The 32-year-old broke down in tears in the pool after the race, with every competitor congratulating her on a glittering career.
Campbell received a standing ovation from the fans before thanking them in an emotional interview.
“I’ve been on the Australian swim team for longer than I’ve been alive. I made my first team when I was 15 years old, swam at my first Olympics when I was 16,” she told Channel 9.
“I’m now 32 and I just had one of my favourite moments in the pool. I started swimming at this pool in that diving pool just there.
“I have so many incredible memories here and I want to thank everyone here for being here to make this moment so special.”
While disappointed, Campbell added she can “leave the pool with my head held really high.”
“I came back to try something that no one has done before and, by God, I gave it a really good crack.”
Swimming legend Ian Thorpe paid tribute to Campbell in commentary.
“What we missed out the opportunity of seeing Cate at another Olympic Games, we have gained so much in this country, in this sport, from the 11 years that Cate Campbell has been doing this,” he said.
“She will leave a legacy in swimming. In this country, she is respected by the athletes. She is respected by the athletes. She is respected by the coaches, by the country. It will be sad to see Cate go but, thank you, Cate, for all that you’ve given us.”
Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor hopes Campbell, who was Australia’s joint flagbearer at the Tokyo Games of 2021, isn’t lost to the sport.
“Her contribution is immense,” Taylor said.
“Cate has been obviously one of the best relay swimmers in the world consistently over time.
“Her presence on the team, her leadership, her poise, who she is as a person, is probably the key thing and her legacy in swimming is undeniable.
“I was on the Beijing (2008) Olympics team with Cate when she was 16 … and watched her grow and develop.
“Just a real consistent person with a great nature who will hopefully stay involved … and help develop the next group coming through.”
AUSTRALIA’S OLYMPIC SWIM TEAM
Fourth Olympic Games: Bronte Campbell, Cameron McEvoy
Third Olympics: Kyle Chalmers, Emma McKeon, Brianna Throssell
Second Olympics: Isaac Cooper, Meg Harris, Zac Incerti, Se-Bom Lee, Kaylee McKeown, Thomas Neill, Mollie O’Callaghan, Brendon Smith, Jenna Strauch, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Matthew Temple, Ariarne Titmus, Elijah Winnington
Debut Olympics: Iona Anderson, Ben Armbruster, Jaclyn Barclay, Jack Cartwright, Abbey Connor, Elizabeth Dekkers, Jenna Forrester, Max Giuliani, Shayna Jack, Lani Pallister, Alexandria Perkins, Jamie Perkins, William Petric, Ella Ramsay, Samuel Short, Flynn Southam, Kai Taylor, Samuel Williamson, Bradley Woodward, Olivia Wunsch, William Yang, Joshua Yong
Footnote: Moesha Johnson, already selected in marathon swimming, will also be entered in the 1500m freestyle at the pool
– With AAP
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