As Australia prepares for an Olympics with perhaps the greatest golden generation in swimming history, the search is on for the next wave of stars to carry the Dolphins to the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Games.
It was fitting that the end of the greatest Olympic career of any Australian athlete came via an Instagram post and statement rather than a tearful, emotional interview.
Australia’s swim team battled bravely to finish second on the world titles medal tally, adding an extra gold to the seven won at the Paris Olympics and showing there is a lot of life left in the ageing Dolphins.