While training at Auburn University, an interview was conducted with head coach Jacco Verhaeren, Australian swimming performance manager Wayne Lomas, and swimmers Cate Campbell and Matt Abood.
The two interviews can be found below:
The first interview aims the questions at coaches Verhaeren and Lomas. They were asked about how the Russian situation will affect their training and the athletes, and Lomas responds that the issue has only been a “distraction” for the team. He goes on to say that the team is focused on their own swimming and that he is disappointed when a story “moves away from our own performances.”
Later in the interview, questions about the Russian team and doping were asked repeatedly, but the answers from the coaches were same each time. Verhaeren stressed that these issues “can only be a distraction from what this team is here for” and that he has no control over the situation, so there is really nothing that can be done.
The second interview focuses solely on Campbell and Abood. The two were also asked about the Russian situation, but both feel as though its out of their control and that their opinions on the subject do not matter.
“Who’s the hunted? Everyone is the hunted. I think that you can never take anything for granted and why we love the Olympic Games so much is that anything can happen and you never want to take your eye off the world. As far as I’m concerned, I’m the underdog.” said Campbell when asked about how she feels being the hunted.
Campbell was also asked about how she is going to cope with swimming at odd times in Rio. “It’s all about the mindset. I’m not used to swimming from 7-9 at night and then going to bed at midnight or 12:30, but it’s all about getting your head around it.”
One of the questions to Abood inquired about how he can focus and not just think about the fact that he has finally made it to the Olympics at age 30. “I don’t want to have waited so long and look back in on this in 4 years, 8 years, 10 years time, and think what did you do when you got there? There’s still a job to do, and having waited so long and worked so hard to get there, I’m going to make sure that I do that to my best ability.”
Last Olympics the Australian 4×100 team came under heat after a controversial bonding event, and one of the questions aimed at Abood asks how the team is bonding this year. Abood talks about that the 4×100 free relay team does spend a good bit of time with each other, whether what is meals or relay exchanges. He adds that they do this so that when it comes to the race they can all place their trust in each other.
Following this team over the last year, it’s pretty clear they’re focused on making a statement. Good for them. They’re gold medal threats in 5 of 6 relays, never mind the individual events.
Agree with your assessment of the team vibe but think you’re over-egging the enthusiasm re the relays.
W4X100 – prohibitive favourites, categorically YES
W4XMED – YES, narrow favourites but suspect this one will go to the team with the greater momentum.
W4X200 – categorically NO. May snag bronze
M4X100 – will grant a YES on the grounds that a case can be made for them, suspect they won’t
M4X200 – highly unlikely, a weaker case than can be made for 4×100
M4XMED – only if the USA break otherwise categorically NO
Think they’ll be happy if all 6 can medal …. which is not certain and if the two strong women’s relays can win gold.… Read more »
I don’t always agree with commonwombat, but I think he is 100% spot on here.
Cate is GOALS. She rips that reporter comparing them to the ’12 goons in the classiest way imaginable. Get your gold, girl, no one deserves it more than you!
She did a really good job with that last question. All positive vibes from the Australians.
Agree with you fully, Cindy. Cate is wonderful. Her determination and resilience and positivity in the face of so many challenges is simply inspiring. I can’t wait to celebrate her gold!
Oh, underneath the abundant charm, both Campbells have some steel in them and we saw a hint of it there.
Cate Campbell is quite an articulate young woman! I think she’s 100% correct that Australia’s Rio Olympic Swimming Team is going to put to rest the complaints lodged against them by the Australian public in 2012. This is a new day, and they seem quite well prepared for the task ahead!