Dolphins aim to dominate
IT has been dubbed the “Ashes of swimming”. But Cate Campbell can’t see the Australian swimming team getting beaten any time soon in a Commonwealth Games pool despite the looming threat of England.
The Dolphins’ dominance was last threatened at the 1986 Edinburgh Games — by Canada.
However, Australia appeared as though it may be vulnerable at its home Games after finishing a distant eighth at the 2017 world titles in Budapest with a solitary gold.
In contrast, England is daring to dream after inspiring Great Britain to an equal best second place at last year’s world championships with four gold.
Former world champion Campbell admitted the pressure would be on the Dolphins to set the tone for Australia’s Games campaign with success in the pool. Even Dutch-born Australian head coach Jacco Verhaeren has grasped the importance of the Dolphins thwarting England on the Gold Coast, calling it the “Ashes of swimming”.
But ex-world record holder Campbell didn’t expect Australia to buckle under the home crowd pressure despite England’s challenge.
“We do set the standard of the meet (for the overall Australian team),” Campbell said.
“But I don’t think Australia has ever been beaten in the pool and I don’t think this team is going to let that record fall.”
Australia faces a tough act to follow after grabbing their biggest Games pool medal haul at 2014 Glasgow with a total of 57 including 19 gold.