Cate Campbell's pursuit of an historic fifth Olympics appearance has continued with the swimming great advancing from her 100 metres freestyle heat at the Australian championships.
Campbell clocked 54.17 seconds on Monday morning on the Gold Coast, just behind Australian record-holder Emma McKeon (53.81) in heat three.
Campbell's effort was enough to qualify fifth-fastest for the night final on the first day of the nationals.
Reigning world champion Mollie O'Callaghan (53.52) qualified fastest and Shayna Jack (53.72) was next-best.
The nationals is Campbell's second outing since the Tokyo Olympics two years ago, following her return in a low-key Brisbane meet last month.
The 30-year-old, whose eight Olympic medals include four golds, is eyeing spots in the world championships team this year and the Paris 2024 Olympic squad.
Campbell pondered her future after the Tokyo Games in 2021 but returned to the elite program at a national training camp on the Gold Coast in February.
She is aiming to become the first Australian swimmer to compete at five Olympics.
