Swim star Cate Campbell retires from elite sport after falling short of record fifth Olympic Games

Australia’s Queen of swimming Cate Campbell has officially hung up her goggles after falling short of qualifying for a record fifth Olympic Games.

Australia’s Queen of swimming Cate Campbell has officially hung up her goggles.

Campbell, who was unsuccessful in her bid to compete at a record fifth Olympics, announced via her social media channels that she was officially retiring from elite swimming.

“From little things, big dreams grow,” Campbell wrote.

“After over 20 years, over 35,000km, over 19,000,000 strokes, four Olympics, eight Olympic medals, seven World Records and countless memories it’s time to officially say goodbye to the dream I have had since I was 9-years-old.

Cate Campbell (R) hugs her sister Bronte Campbell after competing in the women’s 50m freestyle heats during the Australian Swimming Trials in Brisbane. Picture: AFP

“As of today, I am officially retired from elite sport.

“I have had some time over the past week to reflect on my career, and while there are many conflicting emotions, especially because it did not end exactly how I had hoped, I am still able to look back without regret. I gave the pursuit of a fifth Olympics everything I had, and therefore, even in failure, there is a small, indelible kernel of pride.”

Campbell, 32, had hoped to qualify for her fifth Olympics but fell just short at this month’s national trials.

She was left in tears in the pool – her fellow swimmers quick to gather around show their support.

Campbell said she had experienced that level of support throughout her career.

“One of the biggest myths is that swimming is an individual sport,” Campbell said.

“While it was only me under the bright lights behind the starting blocks, there was a small army of people who got me to that place.

“So, I would like to thank my extended team over the years.

“My family, my friends, my partner, my competitors, my Australian Dolphins teammates, my management team, my physios, my coaches, Swimming Australia, the Queensland Academy of Sport, the Australian Olympic Committee, the New South Wales Institute of Sport, my sponsors, the swimming officials and referees, the basket kids, the events teams and every single swimming fan who has supported me over the years.”

Cate Campbell’s elite swimming career came to an end after the Australian Swimming Trials at Brisbane Aquatic Centre. Picture: AFP

Cate Campbell represented Australia at four Olympic Games. Picture: AFP

Campbell had a highly successful career – picking up her first Olympic bronze medals in her debut games in Beijing as a 16-year-old.

Over the next three Games she won four Gold medals and a silver.

She also has an impressive record at the World Championships with 12 medals – four golds, five silvers and three bronze.

And you can’t leave out the six Commonwealth Games Gold medals.

Campbell is yet to reveal her plans for the future – but her immediate plans involve heading to Paris to cheer on her sister Bronte and the rest of her Dolphin teammates.

“It’s been a long and wild ride and I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Campbell said.

“I can’t wait to cheer on the Australian Dolphins and the rest of the Australian Olympic Team in Paris. I am entering my cheerleading era.”