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O’Callaghan is already in rarefied air, sitting alongside Thorpe (11) at the top of Australia’s all-time gold medal tally at the world championships, with Grant Hackett (10), Libby Trickett (8), Madi Wilson (8), Michael Klim (7) and Leisel Jones (7) rounding out those she’s surpassed or drawn level with in just three years.
Speaking to this masthead in between commentary duties for Channel 9, Thorpe congratulated O’Callaghan and outlined what makes her so special.
“It’s reflective of a career that’s happened very quickly from a young age,” Thorpe said. “The most exciting thing is that the likelihood of this continuing is pretty high.
“The events Mollie swims – the 100m and 200m freestyle – are two of the most competitive you can find on the program. They are the blue riband events that are highly competitive, and she is nailing it. Hats off to her and congratulations because it’s a huge achievement. This is where her story continues now. She’s creating a legacy in the sport.
“She’s doggedly determined. I think most of us have had that in our own unique way. Her skills under pressure are remarkable. They know that last big turn is coming from Mollie.
“I don’t believe Mollie or any athlete jumps into the pool when they’re young or makes their first national team and says, ‘I want to accomplish this many world championship gold medals because it’s more than someone else’. It doesn’t factor into what you’re doing.”
O’Callaghan, who turned 21 in April, competed at her first Olympics in Tokyo as a 17-year-old before winning her maiden world title the following year in Budapest.
She picked up 100m freestyle gold in 2022 and 2023, as well as 200m freestyle gold in 2023 and again this week.
Thorpe won 400m freestyle gold as a 15-year-old at the 1998 world championships before becoming an Australian hero at the Sydney Olympics by claiming three gold and two silver at a home Games.
Thorpe’s 11 world titles came in the 1998, 2001 and 2003 world championships. At his peak, the “Thorpedo” held individual world records in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle.
Australia’s Ian Thorpe shows off his gold medal following the men’s 400-metre freestyle swimming event at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Credit: Sygma via Getty Images
O’Callaghan was born in Brisbane in 2004 and will be 28 when the Olympics arrive in Australia in her home town.
“I hope to see Mollie continue for a home Olympic Games,” Thorpe said. “I want as many athletes – current ones and those who we don’t really know about – to experience that.
“The events might be slightly different, but when it comes to an Olympics at home, there’s a tremendous lure to do it. She won’t know whether she wants to for another three years.”
“She’s part of telling a story about swimming in this country, and we continue to be successful. I love that for Mollie, and she’s potentially going to be a leader when it comes to future Olympic Games.”
Elsewhere, Australia’s men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team of Flynn Southam, Charlie Hawke, Kai Taylor and Max Giuliani (7:00.98) snared a bronze medal behind Great Britain (6:59.84) and China (7:00.91) as the USA’s dismal relay run continued with a fourth finish.
“We’re such a young team … and I think come 2028 we’re going to be a real force to be reckoned with,” Giuliani said.
Cam McEvoy and Kaylee McKeown cruised into their respective 50m freestyle and 200m backstroke finals ahead of what looms as a blockbuster Saturday night.
Finals start from 9pm AEST.
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McEvoy, a new father, clocked 21.30 in his semi-final and said he was “in pretty good shape” as he eyes another world title after his breakthrough win in 2023.
“It suggests I’m in pretty good shape,” McEvoy said. “It was almost better than my [winning] Paris time [21.25].
He’ll spend the morning unwinding with a round of Call of Duty – “it’s good for the nervous system” – before unleashing maximum speed.
McKeown will start in lane six after posting a semi-final time of 2:08.36, well outside her world record of 2:03.14.
O’Callaghan is already in rarefied air, sitting alongside Thorpe (11) at the top of Australia’s all-time gold medal tally at the world championships, with Grant Hackett (10), Libby Trickett (8), Madi Wilson (8), Michael Klim (7) and Leisel Jones (7) rounding out those she’s surpassed or drawn level with in just three years.
Speaking to this masthead in between commentary duties for Channel 9, Thorpe congratulated O’Callaghan and outlined what makes her so special.
“It’s reflective of a career that’s happened very quickly from a young age,” Thorpe said. “The most exciting thing is that the likelihood of this continuing is pretty high.
“The events Mollie swims – the 100m and 200m freestyle – are two of the most competitive you can find on the program. They are the blue riband events that are highly competitive, and she is nailing it. Hats off to her and congratulations because it’s a huge achievement. This is where her story continues now. She’s creating a legacy in the sport.
“She’s doggedly determined. I think most of us have had that in our own unique way. Her skills under pressure are remarkable. They know that last big turn is coming from Mollie.
“I don’t believe Mollie or any athlete jumps into the pool when they’re young or makes their first national team and says, ‘I want to accomplish this many world championship gold medals because it’s more than someone else’. It doesn’t factor into what you’re doing.”
O’Callaghan, who turned 21 in April, competed at her first Olympics in Tokyo as a 17-year-old before winning her maiden world title the following year in Budapest.
She picked up 100m freestyle gold in 2022 and 2023, as well as 200m freestyle gold in 2023 and again this week.
Thorpe won 400m freestyle gold as a 15-year-old at the 1998 world championships before becoming an Australian hero at the Sydney Olympics by claiming three gold and two silver at a home Games.
Thorpe’s 11 world titles came in the 1998, 2001 and 2003 world championships. At his peak, the “Thorpedo” held individual world records in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle.
Australia’s Ian Thorpe shows off his gold medal following the men’s 400-metre freestyle swimming event at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Credit: Sygma via Getty Images
O’Callaghan was born in Brisbane in 2004 and will be 28 when the Olympics arrive in Australia in her home town.
“I hope to see Mollie continue for a home Olympic Games,” Thorpe said. “I want as many athletes – current ones and those who we don’t really know about – to experience that.
“The events might be slightly different, but when it comes to an Olympics at home, there’s a tremendous lure to do it. She won’t know whether she wants to for another three years.”
“She’s part of telling a story about swimming in this country, and we continue to be successful. I love that for Mollie, and she’s potentially going to be a leader when it comes to future Olympic Games.”
Elsewhere, Australia’s men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team of Flynn Southam, Charlie Hawke, Kai Taylor and Max Giuliani (7:00.98) snared a bronze medal behind Great Britain (6:59.84) and China (7:00.91) as the USA’s dismal relay run continued with a fourth finish.
“We’re such a young team … and I think come 2028 we’re going to be a real force to be reckoned with,” Giuliani said.
Cam McEvoy and Kaylee McKeown cruised into their respective 50m freestyle and 200m backstroke finals ahead of what looms as a blockbuster Saturday night.
Finals start from 9pm AEST.
Loading
McEvoy, a new father, clocked 21.30 in his semi-final and said he was “in pretty good shape” as he eyes another world title after his breakthrough win in 2023.
“It suggests I’m in pretty good shape,” McEvoy said. “It was almost better than my [winning] Paris time [21.25].
He’ll spend the morning unwinding with a round of Call of Duty – “it’s good for the nervous system” – before unleashing maximum speed.
McKeown will start in lane six after posting a semi-final time of 2:08.36, well outside her world record of 2:03.14.
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