Bronte Campbell, the three-time Olympic gold medallist, has sparked speculation regarding her swimming career after she attended the world championship trials in Adelaide last week as a spectator rather than a competitor. However, the 31-year-old has clarified that she has not officially retired from the sport; rather, she is taking a year off following the Paris Olympics.
During an interview, Bronte revealed that while she has not made a concrete decision about her future, she hasn’t dismissed the idea of competing in her fifth Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. “I’ve taken this year away from competition, so I’m in a bit of a limbo where I haven’t retired, but I’m not racing either,” she explained.
The former world champion in both the 50m and 100m freestyle also mentioned that plans for a potential return to competitive swimming are still possible. “If I wanted to aim for LA, there’s a strategy I would want to follow, so it’s still an option,” she said. Bronte reflected on her recent experiences, having previously taken an 18-month break after the Tokyo 2021 Olympics before returning to pursue a spot in the Dolphins team for Paris, where she ultimately won another gold medal as part of the 4x100m freestyle relay team.
Should she continue her swimming journey through to the LA Games, Bronte will join Cameron McEvoy as one of the first Australian swimmers to compete in five Olympic cycles. However, she acknowledges the importance of stepping away from the sport, stating, “I can’t be in the pool all the time. I need to take a break and return rejuvenated.”
Notably, while Bronte has avoided competitive swimming this year, she has been maintaining her fitness with ocean swims and paddling, seeking to relieve the pressure associated with competitive environments. “It’s nice not being in that stressful mindset where everything’s at stake,” she reflected.
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of her gold medal wins in the 50m and 100m freestyle at the world championships in Russia. By the time the LA Olympics come around, Bronte will be 34, but she remains optimistic about the experience and potential enjoyment of the event. “I think whoever ends up in LA will have an amazing time—it’s going to be brilliant,” she concluded.