The rivalry between the US and Australian swimming teams has heated up in recent days, and it would flare up at the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris next month.
But as bitter as some may find the rivalry between the two global swimming giants, it is all rooted in respect, according to legendary American swimmer Rowdy Gaines.
Speaking to NBC’s Mike Tirica at a news conference Wednesday in Studio 8H at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Center, the three-time Olympic gold medalist shed light on the rivalry between Team USA and Team Australia.
Tirico asked Gaines if Team USA hates Australians, which made the retired legendary swimmer laugh with his response.
“Oh yeah,” he told reporters with a smile. “The US hates Australia,” Gaines said, before clarifying, “the US hates Australia until the race is over, and then there’s hugs and love.”
Michael Phelps became angry after watching a clip of an Australian swimmer complaining about Team USA
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Rowdy Gaines at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Ken Regan /Disney’s General Entertainment Content/Getty
The rivalry between the two countries’ swimming teams appears to have reached an all-time high in the past year, after Australia amassed more gold medals than Team USA at the 2023 World Championships.
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However, Peacock’s coverage of the event focused on Team USA winning more medals overall than Australia did. That prompted veteran Australian swimmer Cate Campbell to complain that her American rivals were “severe losers” and that Australia’s most gold-medal winners were “much sweeter” because they beat Team USA in the process.
A clip of the interview resurfaced last week when NBC’s social media pages shared a clip of Michael Phelps watching the interview for the first time and reacting angrily.
“I would make them eat every word,” Phelps said, shaking his head after watching the video.
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Gaines mocked Phelps’ view of the US-Australia rivalry during a panel on Wednesday, saying the rivalry “turns him on”.
“And of course, it’s going to get Team USA going,” Gaines added.
Australian swimmer misses Paris Olympics after 2023 Video of her complaint about Team USA goes viral
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Steve Lundquist (left) and Rowdy Gaines at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Joe McNally /Disney’s General Entertainment Content/Getty
“[U.S. swimmers] I want to beat them,” Gaines said. “And swimming is a big pastime in Australia, you know? It’s as if they live and die by the sport of swimming. So I think they’ve always been that little brother of Team USA and since they won the gold medal last summer for the second time in over 50 years, I think they have some bragging rights, as they should. But then again, this is billboard material for the US.” Gaines said Team USA comes into the Paris Games with “a great mix of veterans and newcomers on this team,” led by defending Olympic champions Katie Ledecky and Caeleb Dressel. “The USA has been No. 1 in world swimming since 1956,” Gaines said. “That’s not going to change this summer.”
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visit TeamUSA.com and come to people.com to check out live coverage before, during and after the Games. Watch the Paris Olympics and Paralympics starting July 26 on NBC and Peacock.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education