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Olympics Day 6: If looks could kill, Cate Campbell would have several victims already

12th August, 2016
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Cate Campbell put plenty of pressure on herself, leading to her failure to win gold. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
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12th August, 2016
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If swimming were golf, Cate Campbell’s entire bag would be in the pond on the 16th, her membership card would be in tatters and she would have already broken a schooner over the bartop, before she even started downing it.

And why wouldn’t she? She’s in the form of her life, looked great at the 50-metre mark in the 100m freestyle with her sister Bronte by her side.

But by the time there was 25 metres to swim it was clear Cate and sister Bronte wouldn’t be getting gold. When they touched the wall, they didn’t even have a medal between them.

It was sad for Australian fans. But sometimes fans don’t get the concentrated emotion of the athlete, who’s worked for four years to ready themselves for one race.

And then it’s gone.

“I’ve always said I don’t need a gold medal to feel self-worth but that’s being tested right now.” That’s what Campbell said after the race, shattering the myth that the Olympics isn’t all about winning. This was her chance to show she was the best in the world.

She didn’t do it.

Now we can support her, tweet at her, love her, tell her she’ll win gold in the 50m. We can do all that. But it’s not about what we think. It’s about the athlete. The athlete doubts her reason for being, because inside her head four years has gone into that outcome, an outcome which wasn’t and will never be realised.

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It’s a sobering reminder that the Games can be so wonderful for so many, but for the most competitive, elite athletes, silver, bronze, or an Olympic final will never be enough.

There are always going to be broken lockers. Cate Campbell’s locker might be one of those today.

How did we go today?

A good amount of success came on the water that’s situated outside an air-conditioned venue.

Silver in the men’s quad sculls was a bright start to the sixth day of competition. Then Jess Fox stepped up to take bronze in the canoeing, despite a devastating penalty.

If it wasn’t clear already, the 100m freestyle didn’t go Cate Campbell’s way. She finished sixth, with Bronte Campbell in fourth. No medals there then.

There was a medal in the 200m backstroke, with Mitch Larkin finishing second to Ryan Murphy. In the 200m breaststroke, Taylor McKeown had a bright start but faded to finish sixth.

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Marcus Fraser leads the field in the golf, while the Hockeyroos got up again, this time over Argentina. And our Opals beat Japan in a stirring comeback, Liz Cambage again the best on court.

Overall a disappointing day in the pool, but success elsewhere should leave Australians with some comfort.

What about tomorrow?

Cameron McEvoy didn’t make it into the 50m freestyle final. He’s clearly struggling, as is Emily Seebohm, who gave no excuses after missing the final for the 200m backstroke.

So not too much to look forward to there.

The golf continues as does the rowing where Kim Brennan will scull for gold.

But the really big news is that the track cycling is well and truly here, as is the athletics. Although the athletics doesn’t hold too many chances for the Australians, watching what these guys and ladies can do is just great. So get around that, with action kicking off around 9 o’clock in the morning. The only medal at stake tomorrow is the women’s shot put. Still – fun!

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The Boomers are also back on court against China, but at the early time of 3:15am. The USA play Serbia at the much more reasonable hour of 8am.

The big talking point

My talking point could be about reports of a failed doping test, the first of the Games, but I’ll ask the question of why our swimmers are not peaking at the Olympics.

Roarer Spruce Moose, an avid follower of the swimming, made this exceptionally insightful comment on our Day 6 live blog:

“The question that needs to be answered is why key swimmers have failed to perform anywhere close to their PBs on the big stage. Horton, Chalmers and Groves are the only ones who have better their PBs at the games.

“It’s not necessarily about winning gold, but performing to times near their peak.

“Cate Campbell swam a time 1.2 seconds outside her PB. Seebohm, a second outside. Larkin a second outside. McEvoy a second 1.2 seconds outside.

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“They are the deeply concerning issues that need to be addressed. Why have only a handful of Australian swimmers bettered their pre-Olympics PBs? Training programs are tailored to peak exactly at this time. For some reason, Australians training plans haven’t worked.”

I don’t know if I could say this any better, which is why I’ve quoted him, but the point is that Mack Horton and Kyle Chalmers are only Australians to have peaked at the Games.

Madeline Groves was also excellent, though failed to capitalise in the 200m butterfly final.

If Emily Seebohm and Mitch Larkin can come into the Games as such strong favourites, shouldn’t they be peaking? I’m not suggesting this is the fault of the swimmers necessarily, but could it be that other countries’ programs have the edge when it comes to preparing for the Games?

Let’s be honest, in many sports’ fans minds this is the only time they see these guys.

It’s a worthy question.

What did I miss?

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What did you make of the swimming Roarers? And how about that ping pong? Those guys can play!

What tickled your fancy on Day 6?

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