Olympic champ O'Callaghan in tears after 200m freestyle win at Australian trials
The 21-year-old surged to the wall in Adelaide in 1min 54.43secs to easily qualify for next month's Singapore world championships, where she will be the red-hot favourite.
She became emotional during her poolside interview about the 'rough couple of months' coming down from the high of the Olympics, where she won three golds, a silver and a bronze medals.
'You know, it was really stressful for me. And I think even though it's not the time I exactly wanted, it's just hard to, like, come back,' she said as the tears flowed.
'I'd say this lead-up has been the hardest thing I've experienced so far.
'I don't think there's been anything as hard as this, coming here and trying to race and trying to, you know, defend my Olympic status in a way.
'But just happy that I stood up and just raced my main event.'
O'Callaghan arrived in Paris with her 200m freestyle world record just broken by fellow Australian Ariarne Titmus and under enormous pressure.
She rose to the occasion, edging Titmus to win gold. She was also a key part of Australia's 4×100m freestyle and 4×200m freestyle gold-medal winning teams.
O'Callaghan and Titmus, who is on a season-long break, share the 10 fastest times in history.
'It's a really tough thing to take on. You feel once you become an Olympic champion, you're expected to perform every single meet,' said Titmus, who was commentating on the race.
'And athletes, of course, we're incredible at what we do, but we're also humans first, and I think it's really important to let people in on that. I know exactly how Mollie feels.'
O'Callaghan has also qualified for the 50m and 100m backstroke but is yet to decide whether she will race them in Singapore, with the 50m and 100m free, along with the relays, also on her radar.
Lani Pallister came second in 1:54.89 with all eight finalists underneath the qualifying time, once again reinforcing Australia's seemingly endless factory line of top women freestylers.
Another Paris Olympic champion, Cam McEvoy, clocked a blistering 21.30sec to win the 50m freestyle ahead of Kyle Chalmers (21.68sec).
'Honestly, I can't really fault that at all. Just stoked to hit 21 three again,' said McEvoy, who is heading to his seventh world championships.
In other races, 16-year-old Sienna Toohey backed up her breakthrough swim in the 100m breaststroke on June 10 by winning the 50m breaststroke.
She was just outside the qualifying time, but will almost certainly suit up over 50m in Singapore given she has already booked her 100m ticket.
Harrison Turner (1:54.90) made the grade in the men's 200m butterfly, while Sam Short (7:40.95) was in ominous form to take out the men's 800m freestyle. AFP
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
German Olympic champion Dahlmeier seriously injured in Pakistan mountaineering accident
PESHAWAR, Pakistan :German biathlete and double Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier has been seriously injured after being struck by a rockfall while attempting to summit a 6,094-metre peak in northern Pakistan, a provincial government spokesperson and a Pakistani climbing federation said on Tuesday. The accident occurred on Monday when Dahlmeier was hit by a landslide in Hushe Valley in the northern mountain range in Gilgit-Baltistan province, said spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, adding that bad weather meant a helicopter had been unable to reach the site. The rescue operation is underway with the cooperation of the Pakistan army, Faraq added. The incident occurred around noon on July 28, at an altitude of approximately 5,700 meters at Laila Peak, said Alpine Club of Pakistan, a National Mountaineering and Sport Climbing Federation. Dahlmeier, 31, was climbing with her mountaineering partner, Marina Eva, when a sudden rockfall hit her, resulting in significant injuries, it said in a statement. Its vice president Karrar Haidri said Dahlmeier was seriously injured. Dahlmeier retired from the sport in 2019, aged 25, a year after becoming the first female biathlete to achieve a sprint and pursuit double at the same Olympics. Her management did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from Reuters. Germany's ZDF broadcaster said that a helicopter overflight on Tuesday had found no signs of life. The country's northern mountainous regions have experienced heavy flooding and landslides, killing several local tourists during the current monsoon spell of rains. Flooding and other rain-related accidents have killed 288 people in Pakistan since the monsoon season began in late June, says the country's National Disaster Management Authority.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Canada's Buchanan makes Villarreal move permanent with five-year deal
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Canada forward Tajon Buchanan primarily plays as a midfielder but can also be a winger. Versatile Canadian international Tajon Buchanan has made his move to Villarreal permanent on a five-year contract after joining the LaLiga club in February on loan from Inter Milan. The 26-year-old, who primarily plays as a midfielder but can also be a winger, passed a medical on July 29, Villarreal said in a statement. Media reports said Buchanan joined Villarreal for a fee of around nine million euros (S$13.38 million). Buchanan, who joined Inter in January 2024 from Club Brugge, made 13 LaLiga appearances for Villarreal, who finished fifth last season. "He possesses physical power and speed when carrying the ball... with a knack for getting into scoring positions and the ability to provide assists," the Spanish side said. Buchanan has also earned 51 caps for Canada. Villarreal begin their LaLiga campaign on August 15 with a home game against Oviedo. REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Lorena Wiebes sprints to stage four win at Tour de France Femmes
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox POITIERS, France – Lorena Wiebes stormed to her second consecutive stage victory at the Tour de France Femmes on Tuesday, winning the fourth leg with a dominant sprint finish. The Dutch rider from Team SD Worx launched her move around 250 metres from the line and proved untouchable, sealing another emphatic stage victory. Fellow Dutch rider Marianne Vos took second place, with Ireland's Lara Gillespie finishing third. The largely flat 130.7km stage from Saumur to Poitiers saw the peloton remain tightly packed until the closing stretch before a showdown amongst the sprinters. Wiebes timed her effort perfectly, leaving her rivals unable to respond before it was too late. She also triumphed in a chaotic sprint on Monday and now sits second overall, trailing Vos, who retains the yellow jersey. 'Very nice, I'm happy it worked out again,' Wiebes said. 'That went well, but quite chaotic. I had to start the sprint early again because I was afraid of being boxed in.' Vos, who tried to edge past Wiebes in the final metres, conceded it had been too much of an ask. 'Nice to get close – but Lorena was very fast,' she said. 'It's nice (to still be in the yellow jersey), we knew it would be chaotic, not only in the final... the whole stage was pretty tough, so thanks to the team.' REUTERS
