Aussie swim ace in ominous form ahead of Glasgow Games
Steve Larkin |
Australia’s freestyle world record holder Cam McEvoy has laid down an ominous marker ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
McEvoy has clocked a personal best in training over 35 metres at the Dolphin’s pre-Games camp in Germany.
The achievement signals McEvoy is on track to challenge his 50m freestyle world record at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games starting July 23.
McEvoy set the 50m freestyle world record last March in China, clocking 20.88 seconds, eclipsing the 20.91 landmark of Brazilian Cesar Cielo in the super-suit era in 2009.
“Today was my last session of the year where I’ve done something that was longer on the speed side, so I went out to 35m,” McEvoy said.
“It was a training PB actually, which is always what you want – and just four days off the back of a trip from Australia to Europe which is really nice.
“I didn’t do anything past 25 (metres) prior to my 20.88.
“I’m moving well. It’s now time to kick back and relax and let the rest of it come up in its own time.”
McEvoy made his Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow a dozen years ago, finishing second behind England’s Ben Proud in the 50m freestyle.
“I am excited to see what the experience is like, what the venue is like now 12 years on,” he said.
“A lot has changed and a lot has changed for the better as well.
“I just want to take a trip down memory lane
At the 2018 Gold Coast Games, Proud won another gold in the event.
And four years later at the Birmingham Games, Proud again saluted while McEvoy was in the wilderness and pondering quitting the sport.
The Australian returned to the pool with his own regime, relying on non-traditional methods that don’t rely on countless laps at training.
The switch has since paid rich dividends, including the Olympic gold medal in the one-lap splash and dash at the Paris Games of 2024.
The 32-year-old, who has never won a Commonwealth Games gold, is now an elder statesman of the Australian swim team.
“The depth we have on the team right now is incredible,” McEvoy said.
“We have a lot of kids coming through who are rookies on the team and a lot of young kids who are ranking really well in the world, not just currently but looking ahead to Brisbane 2032 (Olympics).
“Being young now, you are going to be of age and in your prime for a home Games.
“I’m excited to see them now and what they can do.
“But I’m also excited to see that next wave move through over the next six years to see where they are in the future.”
AAP