Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australian swim star Mollie O’Callaghan says she’s incredibly sad to withdraw from the looming Pan Pacific championships due to injury.
The five-time Olympic gold medallist won’t compete at the biggest global swim meet of the year because of a back injury.
O’Callaghan carried the injury through the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she won three gold medals in relay events and an individual silver in the women’s 100m freestyle.
“I’ve had to make the decision that is best for me,” O’Callaghan posted on Instagram.
“After every race (in Glasgow) I re-evaluated, adapted where I could, and did everything possible to keep moving forward.
“And I’m so proud of what I was able to achieve while managing this injury.
“I put myself out there, embraced a different challenge, and learned to adapt.
“I don’t regret racing at the Commonwealth Games for a second.”
The Pan Pacs in California start on August 12 with O’Callaghan, who has dominated the 100m and 200m freestyle for the past four years, joining a batch of Australian big guns to miss the meet.
Champion backstroker Kaylee McKeown is sidelined by illness, while veterans Cam McEvoy and Kyle Chalmers opted to prioritise the Commonwealth Games over the Pan Pacs.
