SWIMMING: Going in with no expectations and the support of the nation, Cate and Bronte Campbell will tonight take on the 50m freestyle final alongside the fastest women in the world.
Less than 0.3 of a second separates the top eight with the title anyone’s for the taking.
After missing the podium in the 100m freestyle, Cate had an emotional 24 hours but bounced back to qualify second fastest for the 50 with a time of 24.32.
“I am stoked to be through to the final and not going in with any expectations,” Cate said.
“It’s been really tough. I’ve figured out I've been swimming for over half my life, and half your life comes down to less than 60 seconds.
“I don’t think I have ever received so many messages of support, and people have come up and called me a legend when I’ve felt like an idiot which I think is the highest of compliments."
The one-lap dash decider will also see younger sister Bronte in the mix after touching in a time of 24.43 while the top qualifier was Denmark’s Pernille Blume, just 0.04sec ahead of Cate in 24.28.
“I'm really happy to be in that final it was really, really quick to get through,” Bronte said.
“It's tough backing up after the 100m last night, it's very tough to do two fast 50s and I'm really pleased I managed to come out and do that.”
Then…
It’s the race that stops our nation – the final of the men’s 1500m freestyle – and tonight all eyes will be on young Mack Horton.
Already a gold medallist from this Games with a win in the 400m freestyle on day one, Horton will be looking to end his meet just the way he started.
Horton is in fine form but the 20-year-old will face tough competition from his close friend and former training partner in Italy’s Gregorio Paltrineri (14:44.51) who has the top time going in to the final.
He will also need to keep a close eye on the American pair of Connor Jaeger (14:45.74) and Jordan Wilimovsky (14:48.23) who were just ahead of him after the heats.
Swimming a controlled heat and only picking up the pace in the final lap, Horton clocked a time of 14:48.47 and looked like he will have more to give tonight.
Australia has such a rich history in this event, 25 medals in total, including eight gold in Olympic history and legendary names like Murray Rose, Kieren Perkins and Grant Hackett synonymous with the event.
It is not often that the distance events come down to the touch but with such a highly competitive and tactical field, expect the unexpected tonight.
Also on the last night of competition in the pool are the men's and women's 4x100m medley relays with Australia in both finals.
Kathleen Rayment
olympics.com.au
