Bronte and her ‘sisters’ eye gold
AUSTRALIA’S fastest female swimmers have been racing against each other since they were 12 years old – now they will line up together in an effort to win their third straight Olympic gold medal and possibly Bronte Campbell’s last.
Campbell, 27, made her Games debut in 2012 and won gold with the 4x100m freestyle women’s relay team at the 2016 Rio Games.
But she has hinted she won’t be competing in Paris.
The Aussie women finished on top of the podium in the 4x100m relay in 2012 and 2016 and Campbell said there was no reason why they couldn’t do it again.
“It is what I most look forward to,” Campbell said. “It is always on the first night and I can’t wait to be part of it again. It is an honour to carry the baton forward.”
The final line-up for the relay is yet to be determined but Campbell could line up alongside her sister Cate Campbell, Emma McKeon, Madi Wilson, Meg Harris or Mollie O’Callaghan.
“Cate has been a staple of the team,” Campbell said. “But I’ve raced with the other girls since I was 12 years old.
“You become a family and you really want to do it for your sisters on either side of you.”
Campbell wasn’t willing to make a prediction on how the team would go but did say she was feeling confident.
“On paper is one thing but in the lights of the arena is a totally different thing,”
Campbell said.
“I don’t think lots of countries have shown their best yet, which will make for an exciting race.
“I’m really confident we have a really good team.”
Campbell has had a successful swimming career.
Her most recent achievements include three gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and two gold and a silver at the 2019 World Championships.
She hasn’t ruled out competing after Tokyo but hinted she would hang her cap up before the 2024 Paris Games, not quite willing to commit to another three years of training.
“I’m still figuring it out,” Campbell said.
“I’m focused on Tokyo and will make all decisions after that, but I think this will most likely be my last Olympics.
“But it doesn’t mean I won’t be backing up next year or the year after.”
The swimming program starts on Saturday, and the 4x100m women’s freestyle heats will be the last races of the night. The finals will be
held at 11.45am on Sunday.