Australian swim star Cate Campbell’s illustrious Olympic career is over.
The four-time gold medallist has failed in her bid to become the first Aussie to swim at five Olympics.
The 32-year-old finished seventh in the women’s 50m freestyle at Australia’s Olympic selection trials on Saturday night in Brisbane.
Only the top two place-getters – Shayna Jack and Meg Harris – will race the event at the Paris Games starting on July 26.
Campbell, after missing qualifying for the 100m freestyle final by one hundredth of a second on Friday night, ends her Olympic career with four gold, one silver and three bronze medals.
Cate Campbell of Queensland is embraced by her competitors after the Women’s 50m Freestyle Final during the 2024 Australian Swimming Trials at Brisbane Aquatic Centre
Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor hopes Campbell, who was Australia’s joint flagbearer at the Tokyo Games of 2021, isn’t lost to the sport.
‘Her contribution is immense,’ Taylor said.
‘Cate has been obviously one of the best relay swimmers in the world consistently over time.
‘Her presence on the team, her leadership, her poise, who she is as a person, is probably the key thing and her legacy in swimming is undeniable.
‘I was on the Beijing (2008) Olympics team with Cate when she was 16 … and watched her grow and develop.
‘Just a real consistent person with a great nature who will hopefully stay involved … and help develop the next group coming through.’
Australia will announce its swim team for the Paris Olympics after the last event of the trials later Saturday night.
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