“I am still able to look back without regret” - 4-time Olympic champ Cate Campbell retires from elite swimming after missing Paris Olympics 2024 spot

Australia’s swimming legend Cate Campbell has officially retired after more than 20 years in the sport. Campbell's decision was fuelled by her dismal performance that saw her miss out on a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The four-time Olympian broke the news on her Instagram page, noting that after an illustrious career, she now thinks it’s time to exit the sport.

Campbell shared her achievements in the post, jotting down the four Olympic Games she has been to and the eight Olympic gold medals she won. She also has seven world records to her name and has won 12 world championship medals, including four golds.

Additionally, the 32-year-old won nine Pan Pacific Championships medals and six Commonwealth Games gold medals. Out of the 39 medals she has won overall, 24 are gold.

"From little things, big dreams grow. After over 20 years, over 35,00km, over 19,000,000 stokes, 4 Olympics, 8 Olympic medals, 7 World Records, and countless memories it’s time to officially say goodbye to the dream I have had since I was 9 years old," Campbell said in her post.

"As of today, I am officially retired from elite sport. World Records and countless memories it’s time to officially say goodbye to the dream I have had since I was 9 years old. As of today, I am officially retired from elite sport," she further announced.

After taking up competitive swimming in 2001, Cate Campbell qualified for her first Olympic Games six years later at the age of 16. She won two bronze medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Campbell won her first Olympic gold at London 2012 and another at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Her final Olympic appearance was at the delayed 2020 Games in Tokyo where she won three gold medals.

She is the current world record holder in the short course 100m freestyle and is also a former world record holder in the long course 100m freestyle. As Campbell retires, she is regarded as one of the greatest Australian swimmers and one of the best relay swimmers of all time.

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Cate Campbell misses out on Australian 2024 Paris Olympics squad

Cate Campbell failed to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games after finishing seventh in the 50m freestyle at the 2024 Australian Swimming Trials on Saturday, June 15.

2024 Australian Swimming Trials: Day 6 - Getty Images

Her dismal performance over the distance denied her the chance to make her fifth appearance in the Games. According to People, Cate Campbell cried while blowing a kiss to the crowd and waving to her fans.

"It's bitter-sweet. I had hoped for the fairy tale ending and it's what I had worked for and what I felt I was capable of, and unfortunately my body just said, ‘No,'" Campbell said.

The 32-year-old was hoping to make history by becoming the first Australian swimmer to compete in five consecutive Olympic Games but her goal unfortunately hit a snug.