Michael Phelps has responded to an insult made by an Australian swimmer who said he was glad he didn’t have to hear “The Star-Spangled Banner” after beating the United States at the world championships.
Kate Campbell, a four-time Olympian for Australia, was being interviewed about the country’s medal total compared to the United States in 2023. Australia won the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Japan with 13 gold medals, but NBC noted that the U.S. team has a higher medal total overall.
Campbell expressed how relieved he was after the team’s win against the United States on Australia’s Today show.
“If someone said that to me I would be freaked out. I would literally make them take back every single thing they ever said about me.”
“I’m so happy that we beat the U.S.A. I missed hearing the Star-Spangled Banner ring out in the stadium on the first night of the tournament. I can’t tell you how happy I was,” she said. explanation.
“If I ever hear that song again, it’s too early. Come to Paris. That’s all I’m saying. USA stop being sore losers,” she said, referring to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Campbell added that the U.S. team has a “terrible” cowbell, noting how loud it is whenever the team chants “USA, USA!”
“I’ve never wanted to hit someone so badly,” she said.
Ahead of the Summer Olympics, Phelps was shown this video by staff from the NBC Olympic Channel.
“Look at this. If someone had told you this when you were a swimmer, how would you have used it?” the NBC team member said, handing Phelps the tablet.
Phelps was unable to contain his excitement after seeing a video showing anti-American sentiment.
“Kate, I appreciate your comments,” Phelps said. Stared straight into the camera“If someone said that to me I would be furious. I would literally make them take back every word they said about me, because there are people who have done that. Chad LeCross? Ian Thorpe? They all said bad things about me, but I had the last laugh,” he said of other swimmers.
As he prepared to cover the Olympics from the broadcast booth, a clearly still-furious Phelps offered some advice to the U.S. swimmers.
“Following Americans, if you saw what I just saw, that was a first for me, and I’m going to watch that every day just to get a little bit of confidence,” Phelps said. “The good news is, the Olympics are coming up and we’ll see the results,” he added.
Phelps last swam at the 2016 Olympics.
Australia’s Campbell had attempted to qualify for the 2024 Games but failed to qualify, missing out on the final in Australia by just 0.01 seconds.
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