Cate Campbell on the 2024 Paris Olympics, THAT Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus race, and her new life post-retirement

Speaking from Paris, four-time Olympic gold medallist Cate Campbell reveals what life is really like post-retirement, as she shares her take on THAT race between Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus.

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Cate Campbell has revealed what life is really like watching the Paris Games post-retirement, and shares her take on THAT race between Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus.

Speaking to Stellar’s podcast Something To Talk About, the former Australian swim star reflected on the fiercely fought women’s 200m freestyle race between Titmus and O’Callaghan, where O’Callaghan won gold and Titmus silver.

“After the race, I thought it was [a] beautiful moment of sportsmanship: Arnie lifting Mollie’s hand, Mollie bringing Arnie up on top of the podium,” Campbell told Something To Talk About, poolside in Paris.

Listen to the full episode of Something To Talk About featuring Cate Campbell out now:

Speaking from Paris, Cate Campbell has reflected on her swimming career – and the current Olympics. Picture: Getty Images

Cate Campbell, pictured during the Australian swimming trials at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre in June. Picture: AFP

Campbell is the latest guest on Stellar’s podcast, Something To Talk About. The full interview is out now. Picture: AFP

Campbell noted: “I think you can feel two emotions: you can feel happy for your teammate and sad for yourself.

“I’m sure there was a lot of complex emotions, particularly in Arnie’s head, but she handled it like an absolute champion. She said she’s incredibly proud of that silver medal. She’s also the most fiercely competitive person I know. She showed Australia what a true champion she is, because we’ve seen her in victory. Now we got to see her in defeat – and to see her character.”

The 32-year-old also opened up about the “bittersweet” experience of going from athlete to media commentator, and reflected on what it is like watching her sister, fellow swimmer Bronte Campbell, from the stands.

Cate Campbell. Picture: AFP

“I feel exhausted [spectating], because when you’re competing and so focused on your own performance, you don’t have time or energy to spend on other people and their experiences and their performance,” Campbell said.

“Now that I have those blinkers removed, I’m free to fully embody all of the emotion that I’m seeing being played out in the pool. I feel like I’m just on an emotional rollercoaster every day. It is a little bit bittersweet to be on this side.”

In Paris, Ariarne Titmus, left, came second while Mollie O’Callaghan won gold in the 200m freestyle final. Picture: Getty Images

Gold medallist Mollie O'Callaghan, centre, with Ariarne Titmus, far left, and bronze medallist Hong Kong's Haughey Siobhan Bernadette. Picture: AFP

‘Like an absolute champion!’ Mollie O'Callaghan, left, and Ariarne Titmus embraced in the water after THAT race in Paris. Picture: AFP

Listen to the full episode of Something To Talk About featuring Cate Campbell out now:

Campbell – who competed in four Olympics and won eight Olympic medals over the course of her swimming career – believes the gender parity on show in Paris 2024 will inspire a new generation of Australian athletes.

“Most of our gold medals are coming from the girls, and it is phenomenal,” Campbell said.

The latest issue of Stellar is out on Sunday. Picture: Simon Upton for Stellar

“So I hope we’re inspiring a whole new generation of athletes – boys and girls.

When I started swimming, I could look up to Grant Hacketts and Ian Thorpes and be inspired to get in the pool.

“And I don’t see any reason why young boys can’t look at Ariarne Titmus and

Kaylee McKeown and not be inspired to get in the pool as well. The Olympics is a wonderful example of what it looks like for gender parity to be displayed on the world stage. The women [are] not being seen as other. If anything else, they are stepping up and absolutely delivering in spades.”

Listen to the full episode of Something To Talk About featuring Cate Campbell out now. The latest issue of Stellar is out tomorrow. For more from Stellar, click here.

Originally published as Cate Campbell on the 2024 Paris Olympics, THAT Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus race, and her new life post-retirement