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American swimming fans have struck again. After the Aussie women’s epic 4x100m medley win over ther USA on the final day of the program Sunday, salty Americans accused Cate Campbell of cheating when she produced a super slick changeover for the final leg.
Campbell’s reaction time in leaving the block after Emma McKeon’s touch was .04 seconds – inside the legal allowed time to avoid disqualification.
Campbell later admitted she was nervous as she looked at the board at the end of the race.
“I saw a number one next to our names and I thought, ‘oh, my goodness, that’s incredible’,” Campbell told Channel 7.
“I looked up and the girls were celebrating and I thought ‘my changeover was very quick, we’ve either just won an Olympic gold medal or we’ve just been disqualified’.
“So I was like we have to wait until the results are official. And they were official and we are Olympic gold medallists.”
But on social media US fans – who were moaning earlier in the meet when Ariarne Titmus did a double over Katie Ledecky – returned to tantrum mode.
Australia straight up cheated. You can see on the replay the last swimmer jumped way before her tm8 touched the wall. Should have been a DQ. Shameful
— Brian O'Cleary (@BrianOCleary) August 1, 2021
Australia woman cheated on that 4100 medley that last woman was jumping in the water before the teammate touched the wall no wonder they got an Olympic record. The USA woman won gold in my eyes. Great race
— TOMMY B (Five) (@tommyBVT1982) August 1, 2021
Australia's Womens swim relay totally cheated! Dove in too early and Olympics officials said nothing! Americans were cheated out of a gold medal!
— Barbara Dees (@barbdees) August 1, 2021
NAH AUSTRALIA CHEATED!! CAMPBELL JUMPED IN THE WATER TOO SOON!!!
— cammie ♡ suni + rebeca fan club (@itscammieg) August 1, 2021
Campbell’s final leg may have been her final race in an Olympics in her fourth appearance, and she used all her experience to make a massive difference.
“That 0.04 from Cate Campbell on the relay changeover compared to 0.38 from the American,” said Ian Thorpe on the Channel 7 commentary. “That is the difference.”
Australia clocked 3:51.60 to win gold, .13 seconds ahead of the USA.
"What a privilege it's been."
Right back at you, Cate Campbell ❤️#7Olympics | #Tokyo2020 | #Swimming pic.twitter.com/BiNl9Zd5fA
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 1, 2021
“I still just can’t believe that we just did that,” Campbell said.
“It’s an incredible job by everyone. “I was disappointed with my 50m freestyle but I told myself you find out what you’re made of when things don’t go your way, not when things are working well for you.
“I took that mindset into this race and thought you have to be brave and get back out there. I’m absolutely blown away.”
Campbell paid “full credit” to Emma McKeon, who won seven medals at these games – to equal the all-time tally by a female in a single Olympics, and go to an equal record five Olympic golds for her country.
“I could not be happier for her,” Campbell said.
Campbell said that she refelcted on her career and future on Sunday.
“Before I walked out for my 50m final I just had to stop myself and think what a privilege it’s been, to be mixing it with the best in the world for so long.
“While there are some empty seats up there, if you look up at the Australian section that’s full. And I know the rest of the stadium is full of the Australian spirit we can feel pouring in from back home.”