Eight-time Olympic gold medalist Cate Campbell, an Australian swimming icon who has spoken candidly about her mental health challenges and impact on the sport. She links these problems, at least in part, to a lack of adequate funding. The Australian swimming trials conclude in Adelaide on Saturday. Campbell’s account reminds us of the extreme pressures swimmers are under, particularly in such a high-stakes climate where sponsorships would account for much of their earnings.
This is the bleak reality for most Australian swimmers. They make frequently in the tens of thousands, and in some cases even higher. Athletes in most other professional sports can expect to earn hundreds of thousands or even millions. For swimmers, the pressure is even more intense given the financial inequity. They have to balance demanding training schedules, work and classes to put food on the table.
The Challenge of Sponsorships
Campbell pointed out that only the top 2% of Australian swimmers have their own personal sponsorships. Consequently, most swimmers do not drown under monetary strain. She challenged corporate Australia to raise their game and offer some good rewards for these top-line sports stars.
“These athletes are being paid tens of thousands of dollars, not hundreds of thousands, not millions, to be the best in the world. It is exhausting and what you are seeing is the toll that it’s taking on them.” – Cate Campbell
With competitions nearly every month, including national titles and trials, the grind for Australian swimmers is non-stop. The burden only gets heavier as they try to balance the pressures of heightened competition and at the same time face the stresses of daily life.
Campbell witnessed a dramatic change in the approach to mental health within the sport of swimming. Today, athletes are encouraged and empowered to speak out about their struggles.
“It’s always been this bad. I think people are just feeling safe and empowered enough to talk about it,” – Campbell
Burnout and Exhaustion
The recent Australian swimming championships underscored just how deeply the effect of these challenges can hit. Australia’s rising star Mollie O’Callaghan was in tears after her sensational win in the Women’s 200m Freestyle. This emotional moment froze the reality that many elite swimmers face after the final whistle blows on their competitive career. It particularly struck a chord following their treatment at big events like last year’s Paris Olympics.
The relentless exhaustion and burnout from a four-year competitive rat race are additional major barriers for these athletes. Campbell told us that swimmers are most often confused and flustered. They implement even more cuts and prepare for another tough budget season with the exception of the Olympics.
“We do not pay them enough for them to be able to sit back and relax in between their training sessions. We have athletes who are working and studying, trying to make ends meet. That grind is relentless, so, when you come to the end of a four-year cycle and you’re facing the prospect of another one, it’s no wonder you’re exhausted, it’s no wonder you’re burnt out.” – Cate Campbell
The Unseen Toll
Overlooked for too long, the mental health struggles of Australian swimmers have only become more visible in recent years. Perhaps no athlete exemplifies this struggle better than Ian Thorpe, the legendary Australian swimmer. He hung up his spikes at the tender age of 22, immediately following the Athens Olympics. As Campbell notes, constant invisibility wears on swimmers’ minds. This lack of support drives many of them into early retirement as they succumb to the unimaginable pressures placed on them.
It has always been a challenge. “It’s always been tiring,” Campbell said. Nobody spoke up, nobody focused on that struggle, and it forced many people into early retirement.
With those trials coming to a close in Adelaide, Campbell’s words are a timely and important reminder for the sporting community — we must do better. Mental health and ensuring these athletes have the financial support they need to succeed should be the focus. Each of these elements will be the key to the future success of Australian swimming.
