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The rivalry between Australia and America was on full display during the World Championships. Australia pulled ahead of the American swimmers by winning 13 gold medals next to the latter’s 7 gold medals. Many thought that the matter had been settled and Australia had proven themselves as the undisputed champions in Japan. However, a new controversy ensued when the American team was named the top team of the championships.

This has not gone down well with the Australian team and their supporters. Rohan Taylor, head coach for the Australian team, expressed his frustration with the World Aquatics points system, which seemingly favored America’s 38 medal count over Australia’s 25 total medals. Recently, Cate Campbell, one of Australia’s star swimmers, also voiced her disappointment with the decision, sparking a new debate.

Cate Campbell’s tirade against the American team

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The Australian swimming team believes that the points system should reflect the overall performance and not just the number of medals won. The American media broadcaster NBC Sports displayed a medal table that ranked countries based on the total number of medals won, which further fueled the controversy. This put America at the top of the table ahead of Australia. Cate Campbell appeared on a morning news show and blasted the American team for their lack of sportsmanship.

A fan shared the video clip from Campbell’s news appearance on Twitter with the caption, “360 days. I can’t wait. The rivalry continues”. During her television appearance, the Australian legend labeled the American team as “such sore losers”. She further added, “…it is just so much sweeter beating America”.

The 31-year-old swimmer did not mince her words, saying she was glad that the team was spared from hearing the “star-spangled banner” in the World Championships. She threw an open challenge to the American team for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Campbell also mentioned the American team’s behavior and rituals that annoys her the most.

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The tirade continues

Cate Campbell revealed that the American swimmers have a few rituals that she finds particularly irritating. She expressed frustration with their loud cheering of ‘USA, USA’ before every event. The American team also has a cowbell ringing before every event. Campbell hates the sound of the bell and wishes someone steals it. She was particularly angry with coach Bob Bowman’s remark claiming that America had the best performance in the World Championships. The Australians were quick to point out that his swimmers consistently lost to the Aussies in nine events.

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But that did not matter for the U.S. They are not ready to face the facts yet. The supporters of the American team have already begun celebrations of their victory, while the Australian team and their supporters continue to express their frustration and disappointment. The controversy will get even bigger now that the American swimmers have started responding to Campbell’s remarks. Lilly King has accepted Campbell’s challenge for Paris 2024, stating that the U.S. team is determined to prove itself as the dominant force in swimming. The rivalry between the two teams is only intensifying, and all eyes will be on the next showdown between them.

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