Reported by Robert Gibbs:
As if the Australian women weren’t already favorites enough in the 4×100 free relay in Rio,Cate Campbell broke the 100 freestyle world record in the finals of the Australian Grand Prix today.
Campbell, a month out from Rio and presumably at least not-fully-tapered, eclipsed the mark formerly held by Germany’s Britta Steffen by .01, swimming a new all-time best of 52.06. Campbell had swam 52.97 in prelims. By comparison, no U.S. woman broke 53 in the finals of the U.S. Olympic Trials last night in Omaha.
Steffen’s record was set at the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome, one of many world records at that meet that ultimately led to FINA banning the so-called “supersuits.”
Today, Campbell went out in 24.89 and came home in 27.17, compared to Steffen’s 25.46/26.51.
Campbell already had the top time in the world this year, a 52.38 from the Australian Champs in April. Her sister Bronte Campbell has the second fast time in the world this year, from that same meet. Add in Emma McKeon, who’s ranked fourth in the world with a 52.80, and the Australians have three women faster this year than any woman besides Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom, who sits in third with a 52.78.
For the original report click here.
WOW WOW Cate so Proud of you, You swam so well!
I could’ve seen this in person last night, ahh well. Who was to know Cate would rip this out? Incredible. Rio here we come.
Great swim Cate!!! A great swimmer!!!!
SUPER AWESOME! That is so exciting!!
Is she a bigger favorite than Susie O’Neill was against Mysty Hyman ?
A lot bigger……and she will smoke the US swimmers, if that’s what you were wondering.
She will smoke anyone in the field – not only the Us swimmers ….
Little sister should be close
I love her so much. Thrilled! She is phenomenal.
Congratulations to Cate. She has the most beautiful stroke mechanics & technique I’ve ever seen. Reminds me of film I’ve seen of Dawn Frasier.
I agree. When I first watched the video, I didn’t realize that the swim being shown was her world record swim. She looked so smooth and in control. There was no noticeably fast turnover, spinning of her wheels or apparent rush to the wall. Just strong powerful strokes. She must have an amazing feel for the water and be pushing a ton of water behind her. Phenomenal.
How tall is she out of curiousity! What an incredible swim. We need to appreciate fast swimming regardless of where it comes from. We all want the USA to do well but that shouldn’t cloud our appreciation for amazing swimming! What a talent!
Congrats to her!
She’s 6′ 1″.
Thanks I was curious she just looked tall. Her sister isn’t that tall is she?