Fears for battered O’Callaghan growing as blockbuster event looms
Australian swimming superstar Mollie O’Callaghan has hinted that she may not suit up for the Pan Pacific Championships in the USA next month, as she battles gruelling injuries at the Commonwealth Games.
There are growing concerns the five-time Olympic gold medallist may not be fit to take on the USA, Canada and Japan in Irvine, California in mid-August after she was beaten to gold in the 100-metre freestyle in Glasgow on Tuesday (AEST).
Mollie O’Callaghan in Glasgow. AP
O’Callaghan, a winner of two world championship titles in the 100m freestyle, finished second to Dolphins teammate Meg Harris.
Spearheading a Dolphins podium sweep, Harris won in 52.90 seconds, ahead of O’Callaghan (53.25) and Shayna Jack (53.38).
O’Callaghan is competing at the Glasgow Games despite a shoulder issue and a serious lower-back injury.
The 22-year-old Queenslander revealed on Instagram on the eve of the Games that she was dealing with lower-back stress fractures and bone oedema – a build-up of fluid in the bone marrow which can cause pain and restrict movement.
Asked if she would be fit to race at the Pan Pacific Championships, O’Callaghan couldn’t be sure.
“It’s very open-ended. I think it’s until I get to the end of the meet, then I decide,” she told reporters.
“Each race I’ve kind of re-evaluated, tried a new process, tried and made myself feel more like myself, but it’s definitely an experience in itself.”
In a show of great courage after picking up silver in the 100m freestyle, O’Callaghan backed up to anchor Australia to victory in the 4x200m freestyle relay.
She bagged her third gold medal of the Games in that swim, having already triumphed in the 200m freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay.
Asked if she risked further aggravating her back injury by racing at the Pan Pacific Championships, O’Callaghan was coy.
“That’s for my team. I think I’ve opened up quite a bit, but there’s a point where I just keep that all to my team,” she said.
From left: silver medallist Mollie O’Callaghan, gold medallist Meg Harris and bronze medallist Shayna Jack after the women’s 100m freestyle final. Getty
“I know everyone else has opinions so that part I kind of keep close so we can keep that consistent and I can trust their opinions and there’s not too many opinions involved.
“... I’ve done modifications thus far and I think I’ve really learnt so much about myself from the modifications and rehabbing at the same time in racing.
“I think I’ve done very well considering and I’m pretty proud of myself.”
A host of Australia’s top swimmers have already withdrawn from the Pan Pacs for various reasons, including Cameron McEvoy, Kyle Chalmers and Kaylee McKeown.
