SWIMMING: Cate and Bronte Campbell are set to realise a dream 16 years in the making – to go to an Olympics, compete in the 100m freestyle and swim together in a relay.
The loveable sisters were victorious in the blue riband event, Cate winning in a new Australian All-Comers record time of 52.38 with Bronte second in 52.58, 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly winner Emma McKeon was third in 52.80 and Brittany Elmslie fourth in 53.54 in what was a world class final.
The Campbells kept their ferocious competition at bay to be nominated in their individual spots for Rio - producing the two fastest times in the world this year.
“Tonight was all about just getting your hand on the wall in a 1-2 position and I’m very glad that is what I did,” said Cate, who swam a time that would have beaten Bronte to the World title last year.
“I feel like I am fighting fit again, that is as close to my personal best as I have been in three years which is very encouraging.
“You would think it would get easier. This is my third Olympic trials and my third Olympic Team – but it doesn’t. I feel like every year I want it more and I feel more heavily what I have to lose if I don’t perform, so I’m stoked to get that.
“It’s so special - to be able to compete in a relay together – that was always our dream. It’s the only time we can swim together instead of against each other, so that will be really great.”
Bronte has come into this meet after hip and shoulder problems but put her ailments aside to push Cate to the limit.
“I guess it just goes to show that it doesn’t really matter what the prep was – people have interrupted preps all the time and it just matters what you do on the night and that is what you need to focus on,” said Bronte.
“I would have like to have gone slower, but that wasn’t really an option for me because it was so quick tonight.
“The 100 freestyle - that is the event you all want to do at the Olympics. I missed the final last time at the Olympic trials so to get on the team this time is a good turnaround. I am really, really pleased.”
With London 4x100m freestyle relay gold medallist, Elmslie also swimming under the qualifying time to finish fourth in 53.54, the relay team for Rio will be formidable.
In other finals, World Champion Mitch Larkin produced the fastest 200m backstroke time of the year, posting 1:53.90 to win the Australian title and be nominated for his second individual berth for Rio. The St Peters Western swimmer is set for a backstroke double for Rio now, and will look to spend the following months fine-tuning his training as he eyes medals and records.
Set to join Larkin in Rio is an ecstatic 23-year-old Joshua Beaver from Nunawading in Victoria. Beaver swam 1:56.19, a qualifying time that should see him make his Olympic debut and was swamped by his team mates after the race.
The 2014 Commonwealth Games champion Taylor McKeown will make her Olympic debut in London in two events after producing a personal best time of 2:21.45 in the 200m breaststroke to add to the 100m qualifier earlier in the week.
“I was going for a PB so I am really stoked that I was able to do that tonight,” said McKeown who trains under Chris Mooney at USC Spartans, Queensland.
“I stuck to my race plan and Chris told me to relax and have fun and that’s what I did. I think races are more memorable when you are able to have fun and have a good result at the time.
“If I can put a race like that together and get myself in the final then it’s anyone’s spot. I’ve had a dream since I was a kid to win an Olympic medal and if this year that comes true to me, I’ll be the happiest girl in the world.
St Peters Western swimmer Georgia Bohl (2:23.95) was less than a second outside of the qualifying time of 2:23.06 to take the silver medal behind McKeown. Already qualified in the 100m, 18-year-old Bohl will have the opportunity to post a 200m A Qualifying time between now and Rio and swim the double. London Olympian Tessa Wallace (Pelican Waters, QLD) was a brave third in 2:24.37.
Meanwhile the final of the men’s 50m freestyle is set to be an absolute bolter, with nothing separating Australia’s fastest men as they aim for the coveted top two finish for a ticket to Rio.
The 100 and 200m champion Cameron McEvoy (Bond, QLD) continued his incredible form, taking out his semi-final in 22.12 to qualify fastest for the final. Nipping at his heels is Matt Abood (Canberra, ACT) who has backed up after placing fifth in last night’s 100m final to win the other semi and qualify as the second fastest in 22.24.
“I was actually struggling to swim straight,” said the 29-year-old who is seeking nomination to his first Olympic Team.
“After the last two days, today is always a little tough, so you just try and get out of it what you can and practice components of the race and then put it all together tomorrow night.
“You don’t want to come out here tonight and leave nothing in the tank for tomorrow.”
Abood will be joined by his younger brother Andrew in the race and the splash and dash will also see defending champion James Magnussen, Olympian James Roberts and rising star Will Stockwell in action.
With the highs sometimes comes a low, and for Daniel Tranter, missing qualification in the men’s 200m individual medley by just 0.18 of a second was devastating. The 24-year-old from Trinity Grammar who trains with Michael Phelps in the United States, was just a fraction from realising his Olympic dream. Justin James (Mackay, QLD) was also agonisingly close, finishing second in 1:59.12.
SWIMMING AUSTRALIA