Swim stars bent on setting right tone
CATE Campbell says her heart is beating “a little bit faster” being back in an Australian swim team determined not to surrender its position as ruler of the pool.
Campbell missed last year’s world championships after taking a postOlympic sabbatical but is back in the green and gold alongside teammates determined to set the tone for Australia’s domination of a home Commonwealth Games. Campbell, Emma McKeon and world champion Emily Seebohm will spearhead Australia’s campaign, with the trio’s accommodation likely to be a virtual Fort Knox by the end of competition given their expected haul of gold.
They will lead Australia’s charge in the Girlpower Games, with Gold Coast 2018 the first major multi- sport event to have an equal number of medal events for men and women.
“It’s great to swim in the first week,” Campbell said.
“We do set the standard of the meet ( for the wider team) 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.”
The Australian team is set to make the most of its hometown advantage in the pool, something they saw in Scotland in 2014.
“The Scots just lifted, there was something in the air that got them ready to swim fast,” Campbell said. “And I’m really hoping that we feel that same energy.”