Watch out US, we’re coming: Campbell
A RESURGENT Cate Campbell says Australia has put the US “on notice” in the rundown to the 2020 Olympics after its Pan Pacs showing in Tokyo.
The US will win the medal tally, but Australia’s effort in the team events has given the swimming superpower food for thought and “taken a little wind out of their sails” two years out from the Games.
Campbell was on track to win five medals — possibly all gold — after qualifying fastest for last night’s 50m freestyle final, while the medley team was primed to beat the US to ensure a relay clean sweep for the Aussie women.
Having banished her Rio demons with a win the 100m freestyle, Campbell anchored the mixed medley relay and women’s sprint relay to gold, while Australia’s women won the 4x200m relay to hand America its first defeat in that event at a major championship in almost a decade.
“I think that this team has performed way beyond expectations and we’ve really stuck it to people (with) the girls winning all three of the relays so far,” Campbell said.
“On paper America should be miles ahead of us. It just goes to show the grit and determination and the spirit that is really alive in the team.”
Campbell missed last year’s world championships during a post-Olympic sabbatical but has returned to the international scene in outstanding form and said Australia had struck a blow against the US.
“We have definitely put them on notice,” she said. “They came into this with their chests all puffed out, and we have kind of taken a little wind out of their sails.”