Cate Campbell’s 0.04s act seals historic gold medal for Australia

Australia’s thrilling victory in the women’s medley relay could have ended very differently if not for Cate Campbell’s impeccable timing.

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 01: Cate Campbell of Team Australia reacts after winning the gold medal and breaking the olympic record for the Women's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final on day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on August 01, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Australia secured its ninth Olympic gold medal in the Tokyo pool on Sunday, with the quartet of Cate Campbell, Emma McKeon, Kaylee McKeown and Chelsea Hodges capping off a phenomenal campaign for Australia’s swimming team.

The Aussie team recorded an Olympic-record time of 3:51.60 in the women’s 4 x 100m medley relay to narrowly defeat the second-placed United States in thrilling scenes.

Campbell steamed past America’s Abbey Weitzeil on the final lap of to help Australia clinch one of its four gold medals on a record-breaking day of Olympic action.

But the outcome could have been very different if not for Campbell’s impeccable timing before even diving into the water.

The 29-year-old registered a reaction time of 0.04 seconds during the changeover, meaning she left the block just four-hundredths of a second after teammate McKeon touched the wall.

In comparison, Weitzeil’s reaction time was 0.38 seconds.

Considering Australia won the race by 0.13 seconds, it could be argued Campbell’s well-timed start ultimately proved the difference.

“If this is goodbye to the swimming, that was a great send-off for Cate Campbell,” Aussie swimming legend and Channel 7 commentator Ian Thorpe said.

Olympics live blog: Day 9 coverage

Cate Campbell put in a blistering time in the fourth leg.

There was never more than 0.55 seconds between Australia and the United States during Sunday’s final, and sizzling swims from McKeon and Campbell were needed to see Australia claw in front of their greatest rivals in the last 15m.

Chelsea Hodges also deserves recognition for her time of 1:05.57 in the breaststroke leg, the second-fastest performance of the race.

“That’s as good a victory as Australia have ever had in the pool,” Channel 7 commentator Basil Zempilas said as Campbell touched the wall.

“So spectacular. And, if that is the end for Cate at the Olympics, what a way to get out of the pool.”

Campbell was ready to burst with excitement as she left the pool deck.

“Oh my gosh. I still just can’t believe that we just did that. That is an incredible effort by everyone. And I am just absolutely blown away,” she told Channel 7 after the race.

“I was a bit disappointed with my 50m freestyle (final) earlier. But I told myself you find out what you’re made of when things don’t go your way … I took that mindset into this race and said you have to be brave and get back out there.

“I just had to stop myself and think what a privilege it’s been. While there are some empty seats up there, if you look up at the Australian section it’s full. And I know the rest of the stadium is full of the Australian spirit pouring in from back home.”

Australia’s ninth gold in the Tokyo pool was unforgettable.

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The win gave McKeon the 11th Olympic medal of her dazzling career. It was her fourth gold medal this week and her second gold medal in the space of 45 minutes following her earlier triumph in the women’s 50m freestyle.

– with Tyson Otto