Michael Phelps reignites feud with Team USA Olympics rival after infamous 'sore losers' jibe: 'I would watch that thing every single day'

Michael Phelps has lit the fuse for an almighty battle between Team USA and Australia at the Paris Olympics after the swimming legend responded to Cate Campbell's infamous 'sore losers' jibe.

Australia got the better of their American rivals at last year's world championships, but were left upset when US broadcaster NBC changed their own medal tally graphic to prioritise overall medals to golds.

Their tally put the US on top, despite Australia boasting a superior gold medal of 13 to seven.

Aussie swimming great Campbell, who missed out on qualification for Paris this week, took aim at the Americans in an interview with Today after the world championships. 

'I mean Australia coming out on top of the world is one thing, but it is just so much sweeter beating America,' she said.

Michael Phelps has waded into a row between Australia and the United States

Cate Campbell ignited a feud with the US following the world championships

'The first night of competition, we did not have to hear 'Star Spangled Banner' ring out through the stadium. I cannot tell you how happy that made me.

'If I hear that song again it will be too soon.

'Bring on Paris. That's all I have to say to the US. Stop being sore losers.'

American breaststroke star Lily King responded to Campbell's comments at the time, saying: 'Sorry we aren't so uptight we can't cheer for our teammates as they walkout for events. See you in Paris.'

With the US team kicking off their trials this week, King and Phelps were shown the clip, with NBC hyping up the rivalry.

And an astonished Phelps revealed what he would do as an athlete after watching the clip. 

'Wow. That's the first time I saw this,' said Phelps.

'I would watch that thing every single day to give me that little extra (motivation).'

Phelps says he would use the interview as motivation to beat the Aussies in Paris

King said: 'It's just funny to me that it gets on their nerves that much. That's amusing. 

'Is it going to be worse if they beat us than somebody else? Yeah. I'm glad everyone is jealous of the pride that we have for our country.

'We like each other, but we want to killeach other when we're in the pool.'

Tokyo gold medallist Bobby Finke said:  'That's just worlds. This is the Olympics. This is the big game show.' 

Australia has beaten the US twice at world championships, but have never managed to so at an Olympic Games since Melbourne 1956.