The Australian Olympic swimming team is set to be one of the most formidable forces in the pool at the 2016 Olympic Games. With Head Coach Jacco Verhaeren behind them, superstars Cameron McEvoy, Mitch Larkin, Cate Campbell, Emily Seebohm and Bronte Campbell speak to the press about how the team is getting along, as well as how they’re approaching the world’s largest competitive sports event.
Aussie Rio Press Conference
In the video, Verhaeren acknowledges that his squad is stacked with World Champion talent, including textile-fastest 100m freestyler McEvoy and World Record Holder in the same event for the women, C. Campbell. But, he also says that the team starts with a blank slate in Rio. ‘Everyone here starts at zero. You need to be able to get it together on the day here.’
C. Campbell (C1) says that ‘the most pressure anyone ever feels is the pressure they put on themselves.’ She went on to describe how swimming is a very ‘individual, a very selfish’ event and ‘in the end, it comes down to me.’
For McEvoy’s part in the media session, he focuses on the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay, an event in which “The Professor” says carries the most depth than perhaps ever before. But, he assures Aussie fans that he and his squad ‘know what we need to do individually and we’re comfortable with that.’ He describes the foursome, which includes young gun Kyle Chalmers, once World Champion James Magnussen and veteran racer Matt Abood, as having ‘a relaxed vibe’ headed into the competition.
Australia has some really talented swimmers, especially in the freestyle (aka Australian crawl) and backstroke.
Some of their swimmers get really nervous before their races. I remember Stephanie Rice frantically fiddling with her cap and goggles right before one of her swims.
The Aussies seem more confident this time around.
Yes they have a Dutchman at the helm & he has instilled some inner Dutch calmness to our swimmers.
Draw back may be some of them testing positive for Heineken or Grolsch ? LOL
Swimmers don’t drink, wink, wink say no more!!!!
Plead “purely for medicinal purposes”, yer Honour !! LOL
No bravado, just humble confidence!!!! Loving it!!!!
two time world champion James magnussen?
Was only 4th in 100fr at Trials so a “relay only”. Only at 48mid flat start post operation so not the same swimmer as before
He is still 2 x World Champ not one as the article states .
Actually he is a 3-time world champion. You think you are very smart by correcting the article, but you don’t even know what you are talking about!
You are correct.
James Magnussen is 3-time World Champion.
Like Cate Campbell in the article said “the most pressure anyone ever feels is the pressure they put on themselves”, It is a pity Magnussen put so much pressure on himself in the leadup to London.
I think the Aussies are smarter (and wiser) this time around and keep deflecting external pressure from themselves.
2011, 2013 world champion, when was the 3rd one?
2011 world championships as part of the 4 by 1 freestyle relsy
4×100 in 2011
Ahhhhh, thank you sir!!!!
Nothing against the Aussie team but they always seem to crack under pressure at the Olympics and not do as well as they are predicted to! I love watching them swim they are incredible so I’m hoping they keep form and swim well!!
Classic example of regency bias: That which happened most recently is that which happens all the time. The Ozzie’s came apart in London so they always come apart.
They did OK in Beijing and in Athens. And they crushed it in Sydney.
I think they’re going to do just fine here. In fact, I think they’re going to give the Yanks a hella run for the No. 1 swimming nation in the world.
I’ll guess that any perceived underperformance is due something.. anything other than cracking under the pressure. I think they probably love the pressure. 🙂
They came apart the last 2 Olympics because they had a toxic team environment. They have long since replaced the bad administrative personnel and are now poised to deliver.
The last World Championships is the best indicator of success and they performed very well. The U.S., not so much…
I wouldn’t base expectations for the US performance at the Olympics on Kazan 2015. Lots of different people, no Phelps, most everyone swimming poorly. Don’t count on a similar result in Rio.
Beijing was successful, albeit mostly on the female side but London was toxic. The malign influences amongst the swimmers have “moved on”, as have the London heirarchy. Appears to be a much better team culture/atmosphere and a number of key talents look to have matured over this past cycle.
However, “momentum” will be pivotal. IF they get off to a strong start on the first 2 days with a couple of golds then it should set up a successful meet. Should there be a few misfires (ie expected medallists NOT making finals etc); then it may be a bumpy ride.
We wait to see which of these scenarios will play out