Campbell could still make the team in the 50m freestyle but would need to finish in the top two and beat the qualifying time of 24.67. It will be a tough task given who she is up against.
Her best time in that event this year is 24.59 but the likes of Shayna Jack (24.21), Meg Harris (24.28) and Emma McKeon (24.46) have all gone quicker in 2024.
Harris (52.52), last year’s world champion Mollie O’Callaghan (52.57) and Jack (52.65) were the fastest qualifiers in the two-lap event.
Last month, Campbell told this masthead she was trying not to get ahead of herself, saying that missing selection would be tough to take.
“If it doesn’t work out – and there’s always a possibility that it won’t – the more it’ll crush me,” Campbell said. “What I need to do right now doesn’t involve thinking about going to the closing ceremony of my fifth Olympic Games and what that would feel like.
“The competition is incredible. It’s going to be incredibly tight to qualify. There are no guarantees. It’s not like they’re saving a spot for me on the team. I’m going to have to fight tooth and nail for that.”
Loading
Bronte Campbell, Cate’s sister, was fourth fastest. Bronte also considered retirement after Tokyo but returned to the pool in a bid to make her fourth Olympic team. Bronte, who spent a portion of her career living in her older sister’s shadow, could end up being one of the swimmers keeping Cate out of the Olympic team.
Bronte, who swam in the heat before her sister, was told Cate had missed out by the slimmest of margins moments before speaking to reporters on Friday morning.
“I’m obviously really disappointed for Cate,” Bronte said. “She’s one of our most incredible athletes we’ve ever had in this event. She was our No.1 freestyler for 10, 11, 12 years in a row. That’s a feat that’s pretty much unmatched in Australian sporting history.
“I know she was a bit ill leading into this and had a rough last few weeks.
“I’m sure she’ll be disappointed because we all know she’s an incredible athlete and can swim a lot faster than that.”
2024 Australian swimming trials; exclusive, live and free on Channel Nine and 9Now. Finals start at 7.30pm AEST each night.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
SMH
