'Golden era is now': Cate Campbell lauds Australian swim team's efforts at World Aquatic Championships

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Cate Campbell has declared that a new golden era of Australian swimming has arrived.

Day seven at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore delivered for the Australian Dolphins as the team secured two gold medals and two silver medals, ranking second on the swimming medal tally.

A spirited silver-medal swim from Lani Pallister in the 800m freestyle final also flipped the script on who should be considered the fastest women in the event.

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Speaking on Nine's Wide World of Sports, Campbell hyped up the success and talent of the current Australian team.

"I just don't know if Australians realise how lucky we are to be watching the Australian swim team at the moment," she said.

"I know we like to hearken back to the golden era with Hacky [Grant Hackett], Thorpey [Ian Thorpe] and Susie [O'Neill], and complete respect to those guys, but the golden era is now, guys."

Watch the World Aquatics Championships live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Reigning Olympic champion in the 200m freestyle, Mollie O'Callaghan tied with Thorpe for the most gold medals won at world championship level after anchoring the women's 4x200m freestyle relay team to victory on Thursday night.

Having already won titles in the 200m freestyle and women's 4x100m relay in Singapore, the young star now stands atop the leaderboard with 11 gold medals.

"She is just extraordinary, she's 21 years old," Campbell said of O'Callaghan.

Coming off the back of a successful campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Campbell commended the team's driving force to uphold the country's position as one of the world's swimming powerhouses.

"It just feels like there is so much momentum within this team," she said.

"It's a really young team. This year was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Australian team.

"We're second on the medal table, but on day five, we were No.1.

"Our Aussies are just lifting, they're swimming out of their skins.

"It feels like there is something magic happening inside the Australian camp, and it's translating performances in the pool.

"It's translating into gold medals for Mollie and personal bests, and minor medals for some other athletes, and it's been an absolute delight to watch."

Part of the current pinnacle of Australian swimming includes Olympic champion Cam McEvoy, who on Saturday reclaimed the 50m freestyle world title he won in Fukuoka in 2023.

Becoming the oldest Australian to win world championship gold at 31 years of age, Campbell described McEvoy as "ageing like a fine wine".

Campbell also noted his revolutionary training program, new perspective as a father, and his continued success, stating he is "killing it" and already has his sights set on Los Angeles 2028.

Kaylee McKeown was also a key focus, with Campbell suggesting she is arguably the most dominant backstroker on the world stage.

Despite dealing with injury and an interrupted preparation, McKeown successfully defended her 100m and 200m backstroke titles against tough competition.

Campbell celebrated Pallister's silver medal in the 800m freestyle, labelling the distance shootout as the "race of the championships."

Pallister swam a five-second personal best, breaking the Australian record and pushing the legendary Katie Ledecky every stroke of the way.

Campbell explained that Pallister has shown rapid improvement since joining legendary coach Dean Boxall, which is a promising sign for her goal of winning an individual Olympic gold medal in the future.

Nine's live coverage of the final night of the World Aquatics Championships begins at 9pm AEST.