Lilly King Stands Up For Team USA After Cate Campbell Shots

Lilly King -- Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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Lilly King Stands Up For Team USA After Cate Campbell Shots

For the first time in 22 years, Australia earned more gold medals than the United States at a major championship meet with a dominant effort in Fukuoka, winning four relay gold medals plus nine individual events. The Aussies’ 25 total medals was also the country’s best-ever performance at a global-level meet, but the U.S. actually won more total medals (38) than their rivals from Down Under. Because of a World Aquatics points system based on final and semifinal swims, the Americans were named the top team of the meet.

The question of gold medals vs. total medals has brought about an uptick in the long-dormant American-Australian rivalry.

That discrepancy has captivated supporters of both countries, with each claiming “victory” for their team. On NBC Sports’ broadcast of Worlds in the United States, the medal table was flipped from its usual ranking of gold medals first to show the Americans on top with the most total medals. Unsurprisingly, that generated cries in Australia that the Americans were sore losers.

A video from a morning television appearance shows Cate Campbell, a four-time Olympian who has won four medals and eight medals overall, blasting the Americans’ performance and how they carry themselves on pool deck in candid, flippant remarks.

“Such, such sore losers. Australia coming out on top of the world is one thing, but it is just so much sweeter beating America,” Campbell said. “There were a couple of nights, particularly the first night of competition, where we didn’t have to hear ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ ring out through the stadium. If I never hear that song again, it will be too soon.”

The 31-year-old Aussie, who did not compete in Fukuoka, added, “When we’re right next to each other in the warmup area, the U.S. has this infernal cowbell that they ring, and as someone leaves to go to the competition pool, they ring out, ‘U-S-A! U-S-A!’ I’ve never wanted to punch someone more.”

Unsurprisingly, that comment invoked a response from some of Campbell’s American rivals who saw the comments. Lilly King, a veteran of two Olympics and four World Championships, posted in response to the video: “Sorry we aren’t so uptight we can’t cheer for our teammates as they walkout for events See you in Paris”

Sorry we aren’t so uptight we can’t cheer for our teammates as they walkout for events👀 See you in Paris🥰 https://t.co/wnt9Qe46GJ

— Lilly King (@_king_lil) August 1, 2023

For the first time in years, the rivalry between the two longtime swimming powers is a legitimate one after Australia’s strong performances in Fukuoka and several disappointing swims by the Americans. Additional U.S. swimmers will surely use Campbell’s comments as motivation as they turn their attention to Paris and next year’s Olympics.

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Isabelle Fraser

9 months ago

I can’t believe cate Campbell had to make such comments. She was not even in the meet. Some of these rivals are good friends. Australia had a great meet – the Americans had a good meet. I was proud of both teams.

Danielle S

9 months ago

Reply to Isabelle Fraser

Cate was speaking “tongue in check”. It was a joke 😄 That’s our sense of humour. Keep your hats on USA. Great meet from both countries and Paris will be exciting.

-14

Stateside

9 months ago

Reply to Danielle S

If this the Aussies’ idea of damage control, they need to hire a better publicist.

Jeff

9 months ago

Yes, we will see Lily in Paris, provided she qualifies 🙂

Conor

9 months ago

Reply to Jeff

Don’t disrespect Lily, she has more gold medals than some countries ever

Lory

9 months ago

Reply to Jeff

I was thinking that about Cate, after all she’s 31 right? next year 32 uuuuf good luck with that lol, she’ll be competing against O’callaghan and other fasters australians. Oh boy!

Isabelle Fraser

9 months ago

Three gold medals for France and one for Hungary from swimmers who train in America.
Proud that these boys come here-and do well internationally.
The final night was proof that the Americans had a lot of enthusiasm. They sure did not fall apart.
Enjoyed the whole meet. Was impressed with China as well.

Liza z

9 months ago

Reply to Isabelle Fraser

A gold medal for Tunisia who trains at Indiana as well.

Robert Larsen

9 months ago

I can’t believe she made those comments . They truly are ugly. It seems to me she has recollections by her comments of being herself a sore loser. As an American I was deeply offended. She didn’t have to go there. She could have just remarked as to how well the Aussies did which we can all acknowledge. I am no longer a fan of yours Cate.

Sorry you were disgusted by our anthem and our enthusiasm and pride. If we were arrogant that’s another thing. That’s what you displayed in your comments on TV watched and heard all over the world by swim fans.

Kj1982

9 months ago

Reply to Robert Larsen

Sorry the truth hurts Americans are over the top at summer Olympics. That’s why I prefer Winter Olympics America isn’t as arrogant in Winter Olympics and they have never won the winter Olympic medal tally

Margaret

9 months ago

Yo go Lily!

Swimmer

9 months ago

She is definitely right that the Americans not accepting Australia as the top team at worlds are sore losers. But she took the aggression toward the US too far. It wouldn’t hurt the Aussies to relax a bit more and not put so much external pressure on their athletes that comes from the coaches and the media. What ever Boxall is doing is right his found that perfect balance and that’s why his swimmers and him are so successful.

-1

John

9 months ago

The Aussies are so self-conscious about their image. They’re poster children for being self-centered.

-2

Kaya McKeon

9 months ago

Reply to John

We are far from self-conscious. We are proud to represent our country and are tired of constantly being slammed by media. Regardless of who won overall….us Australian Dolphins our proud of our achievements! We can’t collectively control the poor words Cate decided to use, nor does she speak for other Australians on the team….After all she wasn’t even there.

Tony

9 months ago

Sorry that should read “every women’s event”

-1

Allen Stark

9 months ago

I guess raised on NCAA championships, I was stunned to find that much of the world thinks that a gold medal total is all that counts. I think the Aussies should be very proud of their success, and the US had a lot of swimmers who wish they did better. But I do think total medals is a good barometer of how good a team is.

Bill Price

9 months ago

Reply to Allen Stark

A simple points system (5-3-1) for each type medal would make more sense. The world sees only gold medals as being important though. Adding to the confusion World Aquatics has its own scoring system based on finals and semi-finals. I’ve never heard of this system and I would imagine that most of those commenting on this article haven’t either. Total medals show a team’s depth but little else.

Leo

9 months ago

The whole cowbell thing with the USA on top sounds quite annoying TBH..

Wella Hartig

9 months ago

Reply to Leo

Ha ha ha

-1

anne clutterbuck

9 months ago

As an Aussie, I am disgusted with Cate Campbell’s comments …. she wasn’t there in Fukuoka … she may not be there in Paris as she will have to work for her place on the Dolphins team … I think the Worlds Swimming Championships showed a lot of potential amongst some new swimmers across the world. Roll on Paris !

Bosco e n

9 months ago

The hated directed towards the American national anthem and wanting punch the US fans stems from some deep disdain and envy of the US swim team and their fans !
that’s just taking her emotions a little too far !
the US swimmers will be back ! 🙏

Stateside

9 months ago

The Aussies’ obsession with gold medals make me wonder how much shame they feel for their silver and bronze medalists, not to mention all their swimmers who didn’t podium. Only six swimmers accounted for all Aussie individual golds. No wonder Cate’s in a funk.

-1

Krj

8 months ago

Reply to Stateside

It’s no obsession with gold we respect the offical Olympic medal tally 1 gold medal is superior to 0 gold and 50 silver and bronze something nbc doesn’t understand

Coach

9 months ago

I’m not sure why Cate wants to poke the bear, but let her poke. Anytime the US is provoked they rise to the occasion. Good luck in Paris. Thanks for the added motivation!

Wella Hartig

9 months ago

Reply to Coach

If you poke the bear, it’s redemption! Whoops they love that!!
Zoom zoom zoom

-1

Wella Hartig

9 months ago

I’m really very surprised at Australia poor sportsmanship! 🇺🇸

-2

Brian

9 months ago

I think rivalry is good for swimming. More people might watch now. Glad she talked smack. Pressure is on Australia in Paris. They gave us fuel to train harder. Go USA!!

Maureen

9 months ago

Cate being salty.Trashing people who did win individual gold medals at the Olympics when she couldn’t.So who’s a bad sport now?When that wasn’t enough,then she went after our anthem as well.She won’t be in Paris,the Aussie team is the best its too strong.