Campbell commits to 2020 Games, 'I can't leave Olympics like this'

Aussie swimming darling Cate Campbell has shelved plans to retire after the 2018 Commonwealth Games in her home state, and committed to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The 24-year-old says she wants to leave an Olympic campaign "with happy tears" after a tough Rio battle.

Campbell admits she struggled with her mental preparation in the lead up to her 100-metre and 50-metre finals, failing to medal in both events despite strong favouritism.

"The nerves were overwhelming. I couldn’t eat, sleep ... My lifetime dream was within touching distance (and) I couldn’t let it go," she said.

Cate Campbell thanked her fans for the support. Source: Twitter

Campbell and sister Bronte won gold as part of the 4x100m relay. Source: AAP

Now Campbell says she wants another crack at an Olympic title, committing to swim on to Tokyo at the age of 28.

"I can't leave my Olympic campaign like this," she said.

"I want to leave with happy tears. You're going to have to lock me in for 2020."

Despite her individual disappointment Campbell and sister Bronte still claimed gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

The disappointed Campbell sisters. Source: AAP

The older of the Campbell sisters teared up as she watched the race finish for the first time.

"That’s the first time I've seen any footage from this week," she said after watching the clip.

"Seeing that really brought back some of the positive emotions I felt in the beginning that I haven’t been feeling in the past 10 days. It was an overwhelming thing, it's what we’ve dreamed of as little kids in the back of the car."

Campbell says she will head home from Rio, trying to maintain a positive outlook on her Olympic campaign.

"It's hard when you’ve worked your whole life towards an opportunity and people were talking about they'd almost gift wrapped that gold medal for me," she said.

"I stood on the blocks and didn’t perform. That’s probably the worst part – I'm most disappointed in myself."

Speaking about the 100m final, Campbell said she allowed herself to panic and wishes she could "have a rewrite".

But the 24-year-old found positives from the Games, labelling the Aussie swim team the "best team" she's been a part of.

A happy Cate Campbell after claiming gold in the 4x100m relay. Source: AAP