Iconic US Swimmer Rowdy Gaines Says Team USA ‘Hates’ Australia — but Only ‘Until After the Race’

The rivalry between the American and Australian swim teams has been heating up in recent days, and it’s set to bubble over at the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris next month.

But as bitter as some might take the rivalry between the two global swimming juggernauts, it’s all rooted in respect, according to legendary U.S. swimmer Rowdy Gaines.

Speaking with NBC broadcaster Mike Tirico on a panel at a press event held at Studio 8H in NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Center on Wednesday, the three-time Olympic gold medalist shed light on the rivalry between Team USA and Team Australia.

Tirico asked Gaines if Team USA actually does hate the Australians, leading the retired iconic swimmer to draw laughter with his reply.

“Oh yeah,” he told reporters with a smile.

“The U.S. hates Australia,” Gaines said, before clarifying, “The U.S. hates Australia until after the race and then there’s hugs and love all the way around.”

The rivalry between the two countries' swimming teams appeared to hit an all-time high over the past year, after Australia piled up more gold medals than Team USA at the 2023 World Championships. 

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

However, Peacock’s broadcast of the event focused on Team USA winning more medals overall than Australia had won. This led veteran Australian swimmer Cate Campbell to complain that her American rivals are “sore losers” and that Australia winning the most gold medals was “so much sweeter” because they beat Team USA in the process.

The interview clip resurfaced again this past week when NBC’s social media pages shared a clip of Michael Phelps watching the interview for the first time and reacting angrily.

“I would make them eat every word," Phelps said, shaking his head after watching the video.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Gaines poked fun at Phelps’ take on the U.S.-Australian rivalry during Wednesday’s panel, saying the rivalry “fires him up.”

“And of course, it will fire Team USA up,” Gaines added.

“[U.S. swimmers] want to beat them,” Gaines said. “And swimming is such a huge pastime in Australia, you know? It’s like, they live and die by the sport of swimming. So, I think they’ve always been this little brother of Team USA and because they won the gold medal count last summer for the second time in 50 years-plus, I think they have some bragging rights, as they should. But again, this is bulletin board material for the U.S.”

Gaines said Team USA is coming into the Paris Games with “a great mix of veterans and rookies on this team,” led by defending Olympic champions Katie Ledecky and Caeleb Dressel.

“USA has been No. 1 in the world of swimming since 1956,” Gaines said. “That’s not going to change this summer.”

To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visit TeamUSA.com and come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, beginning July 26, on NBC and Peacock.