Tomorrow night at the Australian Sports Hall of Fame Gala the prestigious Don Award will be presented to the Australian athlete who, by their achievements and example over the last 12 months, are considered to have had the capacity to most inspire the nation. The award will be handed out by two legendary Australian athletes, Dawn Fraser (swimming) and John Bertrand (sailing).
Cate Campbell is one of seven nominees for the award. In the last year it has been the best of times and worst of times, which is what makes Campbell’s story so compelling. After entering the Olympics as one of the favourites to medal in both the 50 and 100 freestyle the Australian star began the competition helping the Australian women win gold in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay, but then had to pull out of the individual 100 freestyle due to gastroenteritis.
She did go on to swim the 50 freestyle a few days later, but was obviously still reeling from the affects of the illness ultimately finishing 10th in the event.
Campbell returned to the pool this year and worked tirelessly to gain form that would enable her to compete for the top spot in the sprint freestyle events in Barcelona. She did much more than compete, winning gold in the 100 freestyle, silver in the 50 freestyle and was a member of both the Australian 4 x 100 freestyle and medley relays which earned silver at the event.
Campbell expressed her excitement after her win in the 100, “It didn’t really sink in until I got out and heard all the Aussies screaming,” Campbell told ABC.
“I think if the race had lasted 110 metres, I wouldn’t have got it.”
At the halfway point Campbell was well under world record pace and after the race she was asked about breaking the record, “No, I wasn’t expecting a world record. I was trying not even to think about that,” said Campbell.
“Maybe in the next few years I will set my sights on that but at the moment I am just enjoying where I am.
“It’s strange to strive your whole life for something and then achieve it in under a minute.”
If Campbell wins she will join fellow swimmers Ian Thorpe (1999), Peitra Thomas (2004) and Grant Hackett (2005) as the fourth swimmer to earn the award.
I would like to Nominate Lorna Rogers for her work in setting up cancer care at home in WA