Organisers can’t split Campbell sisters, Cate breaks Olympic record

CATE Campbell began her 100m freestyle campaign by slapping her own face, but it’s another slap in the face that has left the sprinting Campbell sisters scratching their heads.

CATE Campbell began her 100m freestyle campaign by slapping her own face to “wake herself up”, but it’s another slap in the face that has left Australia’s star sprinting Campbell sisters scratching their heads.

Organisers have failed to recognise the difference between world record holder Cate and world champion younger sister Bronte and entered them into the 50m and 100m freestyle events under the same seeding time.

Strangely both sisters were seeded with Cate’s 52.38s time from the Olympic trials last April, and it was Bronte who has never swum that fast in her career that was handed the top priority as the No. 1 ranked athlete going into the heats.

“Oh yeah, they put in for both the 50m and 100m Cate and my time as the same time,” Bronte Campbell said.

“They just typed in Campbell and put in the wrong one.

“We tried to get it changed a few days ago but it didn’t change anything. It’s not a big deal, it’s just weird.”

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It didn’t stop Cate, however, from showing her supremacy as she smashed the Olympic record in the heats with what looked like an effortless 52.78s swim and the first sub 53.00s 100m freestyle in Olympic history.

“People have been going under 53 for the past three years so it’s not that big of an achievement,” Cate Campbell said.

“It never feels as effortless as it looks. I’m really one of those frustrating swimmers where you’re like ‘come on it’s like you’re not trying’ but on the inside I am trying really hard.

“It was a good heat swim and sets me up for a good place tonight.

“I’m looking forward to just doing the rounds and keep as calm and relaxed as possible.”

Cate Campbell gives herself a wake up slap ahead of her women's 100m freestyle heat. Picture. Phil Hillyard

She stood on the blocks before the race slapping her legs, arms and her own cheeks trying to get herself ready for her first individual swim of the Olympics.

After pancreatitis ruined her London Games campaign, the world record holder was pleased to get to the start line in fine physical condition.

“Yes I managed to remain well. I have been carrying around disinfectant wipes and using them religiously. Finally I am ready to race,” she said.

“I was just trying to wake up to be honest … you’re always a little bit nervous for your first swim so I’m glad that was out of the way.”

Bronte Campbell did what she had to do in the heats and nothing more, progressing in eighth place with a time of 53.71s.

Bronte Campbell checks her time after competing in a women's 100-metre freestyle heat.

World champion Mitch Larkin admitted he’d shed a tear and conquered thoughts of “what if” after his narrow 100m backstroke fourth placing two days ago before launching his 200m assault today.

Larkin (1:56.01) was third fastest into the semi-finals behind Russian teen Evgeny Rylov (1:55.02) and confident he could make amends for his 100m disappointment in his preferred four-lap event.

“I had a bit of a tear, as the realisation settled in that there was a chance I sort of missed a medal there that I probably came in sort of expecting and hoping to achieve,” Larkin said.

“It is sort of disappointing knowing it is going to be four years before you get that chance again.

“It fuels you (for the 200m) but I fuel myself as well. I’ve trained so hard for this. (My coach Michael Bohl) and I say I’m one of the fittest guys in the race and anything is possible.”

Fellow Australian Josh Beaver qualified in 10th place with a time of 1:56.65.

Originally published as Organisers can’t split Campbell sisters, Cate breaks Olympic record