Less than a week after announcing her retirement from competitive swimming, eight-time Olympic medalist Cate Campbell has found her next career venture as an Olympic commentator for Australia’s Nine Network.
Campbell will reportedly join the Australian Olympic commentating team along with Ian Thorpe, Giann Rooney, Ellie Cole, Mat Thompson, and Roz Kelly. Campbell, Thorpe, and Rooney are all Olympic champions while Cole retired in 2022 as Australia’s most decorated Paralympian ever with 17 medals across four Paralympics. Thompson is Nine’s chief rugby league caller, and Kelly is the host of the network’s Sports Sunday show.
The 32-year-old Campbell fell short of qualifying for her fifth Australian Olympic team last month, placing 9th in the 50 free and 7th in the 100 free. Her 30-year-old sister, Bronte, is headed to her fourth Olympics in Paris as a member of the Australian women’s 4×100 free relay.
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“While I might have missed out on being part of the Australia Olympic team and competing in Paris, I am so excited to still be heading over the Games as part of the Channel 9 broadcast team,” said Campbell, who will remain in Paris after the Olympics to assist with Paralympics coverage as well. “This will be the first Olympic Games I have watched since Athens 2004 and I can’t wait to cheer on our swimmers as they hit the pool. I hope Australia falls in love with our swimmers and I look forward to shining a spotlight on the incredible talent we have on the Olympic team.”
The Australian commentating team for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 also featured Thorpe and Rooney. Thorpe is a five-time Olympic champion, tied for the most golds won by an Australian along with fellow swimmer Emma McKeon. Rooney won Olympic gold and broke a world record as a member of the Australian women’s 4×100 medley relay at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
The Paris Olympics begin on July 26.
Do we know if Nicole is doing the Olympic feed? She’s honestly the best.
In other news, the USA couldn’t get out of the group stage in the Copa America that they are hosting.
Maybe Tim Hinchey can take US Soccer to new heights after his contract expires with USAS in 2025. 🤭🤭
Oop
Hahahahaha
Question from America – why do y’all dislike Giaan so much? Ive never listened to an Australian broadcast.
well, facts are not the basis for her commentary, neither is what is happening in the actual race in the pool
She’s good for post-race interviews I’ll give her that
I wouldn’t be surprised if Cate is given the poolside interviews gig. She has done that before (a few years ago, I think?), and is good at it.
However, it would def. be better if she was doing the race calls, and Giaan the post-race.
Can’t see that happening. Not for the most part, anyway. Nine would be crazy not to give her the role to capitalize on her camaraderie with the team, especially the women.
It’s a real shame so many American swim fans don’t realize how spoiled we are having Dan and Rowdy in the booth at every Olympics.
Dan a big yes….Rowdy a huge no…I,ve never heard a more unsuitable, obnoxious,shrill moron broadcast in any sport….ever.He doesn’t even seem to watch the race.If ever I was in charge of selecting a broadcaster,I,m sure they could bring in 1000 candidates and he would finish dead last.
As I tweeted when this news broke:
Mat – ok
Cate – yay!
Ellie – ok
Thorpey – ok
Giaan – vomit
and hoped the final two might actually do some research before showing up to commentate on a major meet (though still doubtful given previous form).
I like Ellie… what’s so bad about her?
Cannot wait to see her reaction everytime the star spangled banner is played
MA will become a FOX News swimming insider
Literally said that out loud when he didn’t qualify lol. “MA will now be a Fox News contributor and sponsored by my pillow 😂”