‘A writer for Days of Our Lives couldn’t have written a better script’

Gwangju, South Korea: It played out more like a script for TV soap Days of Our Lives than a world swimming championship, according to Cate Campbell.

But Australian head coach Jacco Verhaeren believes the Dolphins' drama-packed world titles campaign in South Korea will be a "breeze" compared to what awaits them at the Tokyo Olympics.

And he wouldn't have it any other way.

No more drama: ‘They have thrown a bit of everything at us,’ says Dolphins team leader Cate Campbell.Credit:AP

The international furore caused by Olympic champion Mack Horton's anti-doping stance taken against China's Sun Yang on the opening night of the Gwangju championships was challenging enough for Australia.

Little did they know that the biggest controversy wouldn't come until near the conclusion of the eight-day meet.

The Dolphins were left reeling from the backlash when the real reason behind sprint star Shayna Jack's late withdrawal from the world titles team emerged in the final days – she had tested positive to a banned substance.

Not a good look after Horton's anti-doping podium protests.

You couldn't make this stuff up.

"A writer for Days of Our Lives couldn't have written a better script for this world championships – they have thrown a bit of everything at us," Dolphins team leader Campbell said.

Grist to the mill: Australian swimming head coach Jacco Verhaeren says the events in Korea have galvanised the Dolphins.Credit:AP

But Verhaeren believed it was perfect preparation for their Tokyo campaign after Australian rallied to finish second behind the United States on the table with 19 medals, including five gold.

The US topped the tally with 27 medals and 14 gold.

"Everything happens for a reason. Nobody wants this [controversies] to happen but if anything prepares you for an Olympics it is exactly this," Verhaeren said of their rollercoaster world titles campaign.

"I still think this is a breeze compared to the Olympics and the athletes and coaches know that now too.

"Yes we are dealing with some things but at the end of the day it is about not getting distracted with what you do.

"I think we have grown a lot as a team."

It is a remarkable turnaround since Australia's dismal 2017 world swimming titles.

Their Gwangju tally almost doubles their medal count two years ago when they finished a lowly eighth with 10 medals and a solitary gold, failing to win a single relay event.

In contrast, Australia won four of the first six relays held in South Korea.

But the Dolphins were denied a clean sweep of the women's relays when standout Simone Manuel anchored the Americans to 4x100m medley gold on the final night in a new world record.

Still, Campell liked what she saw in South Korea.

"I am so incredibly proud of every single member of the swimming team, they have raced with integrity, they have fiercely defended each other," Campbell said.

"We have shown integrity in all of our actions and it is really a testament to this team how we have pulled through.

"We have had one of our best performances.

"I think we showed we are one united team how we have managed all of the drama that has happened outside of the pool – there's a lot to look out for, for next year [Tokyo]."

Australia won only one individual gold in South Korea – but it was a doozy.

Teenager Ariarne Titmus pulled off a stunning 400m freestyle gold, marking American great Katie Ledecky's first loss over the distance at a major meet since 2012.

Australian medalists in Gwangju

GOLD
Ariarne Titmus (400m freestyle)
– women's 4x100m freestyle
– 4x100m mixed medley relay
– women's 4x200m freestyle relay
– men's 4x200m freestyle relay

SILVER
– Kyle Chalmers (100m freestyle)
– Mack Horton (400m freestyle)
– Matthew Wilson (men's 200m breaststroke)
– Cate Campbell (100m freestyle)
– Ariarne Titmus (200m freestyle)
– Minna Atherton (100m backstroke)
– Kaylee McKeown (200m backstroke)
– women's 4x100m medley relay
– 4x100m mixed freestyle relay

BRONZE
– Mitch Larkin (100m backstroke)
– men's 4x100m freestyle relay
– Cate Campbell (50m freestyle)
– Ariarne Titmus (800m freestyle)
– Emma McKeon (100m butterfly)

AAP

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