Most people don’t think of swimming as a particularly exciting spectator sport unless Phelps or Ledecky is in the pool. Since that isn’t always the case, while they are supremely gifted athletes, the sport doesn’t exactly seethe with excitement and controversy. One Australian women star is trying to turn up the temperature in the pool at the expense of the Americans.
The World Aquatics Championships recently took place in Japan, and the usually dominant women’s team was bested in the quest for the most gold medals by both China and Australia. While America finished with the most total medals at 44, China took home 20 gold, Australia logged 15, and the Americans managed just seven.
It was a respectable showing for the half-month-long event, but it didn’t end without one star Aussie adding some bulletin board material for the Paris Olympics. Perhaps the concept of “bulletin board” material is a foreign one to Australia, but they very well may discover what it means in Paris.
Australian star Cate Campbell couldn’t resist taking a jab at the Americans after the event: “Australia coming out on top of the world is one thing, but it is just so much sweeter beating America. The first night of competition, we did not have to hear ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ ring out through the stadium. I cannot tell you how happy that made me. If I hear that song again it will be too soon. Bring on Paris (2024 Olympics). That’s all I have to say to the U.S. Stop being sore losers.”
It is unclear what Campbell is specifically referring to when she says Americans are ‘sore losers,’ but she certainly may find out how fired up they can get and how obnoxious they can be as winners. If the American Women have one shred of competitive fire and patriotism, they will set the pool on fire in Paris and make sure everyone knows it in the process.
The saucy Aussie piled on more smack talk: “The U.S. have this internal cowbell they ring. As someone leaves to go to the competition pool, they ring out, ‘USA, USA’. I have never wanted to punch someone more and steal the cowbell. I really hope someone did.”
For now, the Americans are keeping it classy and acting like ladies. American swimmer Lilly King clapped back in a more respectful manner than her “down under” counterpart. She wrote on social media: “Sorry we aren’t so uptight we can’t cheer for our teammates as they walkout for events. See you in Paris.”
Short, sweet, and to the point. And perhaps for the Australians, a little ominous. If America has proven anything, it is not to underrate or provoke them. Whether it be the battlefield or sports, America has risen to the occasion time and again. Just ask England how the Revolutionary War worked out for them, and the Russians can tell you a thing or two about American hockey as well.
The point is disrespect and dismiss America at your own peril. No one should be surprised if the American team mops the pool with the Aussies and are a little extra loud when they chant USA! USA! in Paris in 2024.
Featured image screen grab from embedded YouTube video
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