Cate Campbell is enjoying a well-earned break from swimming as she contemplates whether to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 29-year-old won gold in the 4x100m freestyle and medley relays at the Tokyo Games and added a bronze in the 100m freestyle.
Campbell, a four-time Olympian, hasn’t shut the door on swimming in Paris in three years time, but only if she maintains her love and passion for the sport.
“I have really enjoyed taking a little bit of time out to do things that are completely outside of my usual comfort zone,” she told SEN’s This Is Your Journey – thanks to Tobin Brothers.
“This is the longest break that I have ever taken since I was nine years old. I’m really enjoying the break and then I’ll figure out what life looks like in the future.
“I do want to make sure that if I do go on to Paris that it’s because I love the sport and not because I’m afraid I can’t do anything else.
“Fear can only motivate you so much and to really excel and to be at your best, you have to do it for love and make sure that it’s a real passion of yours.
“They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I will definitely say that’s true.
“There are a few competitions going around in Europe at the moment and immediately after the Games I was like, ‘No, I’m so glad I’m not doing that’, now I’m looking at them being like, ‘That looks pretty good’.”
Campbell was Australia’s flag bearer at the 2020 Games alongside Boomers star Paddy Mills.