Australian Trials, Day 3, Finals: Cam McEvoy On Top Of World in 21.30 With Kyle Chalmers Faster Than Ever in 21.68
Olympic champion Cam McEvoy has taken just 21.30 seconds to rocket back to the top of the 50m freestyle world rankings in Adelaide tonight and chased all the way by hometown hero and fellow Olympic golden boy Kyle Chalmers, swimming faster than ever.
McEvoy, who won the 50 freestyle at his fourth Games in Paris last year, has set the pace for a sprinting revolution in Australia.
BACK ON TOP: Cam McEvoy No 1 in the world. Photo Courtesy Delly Carr (Swimming Australia).
The fastest field ever assembled in an Australian Trials final tonight with McEvoy’s 21.30 and Chalmers’ 21.68, a personal best time that moved him him up to ninth in the world and sixth all-time Australian with the two greats of Australian swimming inspiring the next generation.
Expectant fathers McEvoy (Somerville House, QLD) and Chalmers (Marion, SA) were followed home by three more sub 22 swimmers – Thomas Nowakowski (USC Spartans, QLD) 21.78; Isaac Cooper (St Andrews, QLD) 21.83 and Jamie Jack (St Peters Western, QLD) 21.84.
A happy McEvoy saying he couldn’t really fault his swim at all.
“I’m just stoked to hit 21.30 again and be here,” said 31-year-old McEvoy, who has celebrated a wedding with wife Maddie with the couple expecting a baby boy in July.
“It’s been absolutely incredible; I’m finishing this week and not even having World’s as the next thing as the baby coming is the next thing.
“Indescribable really and a big shout out to Maddie at home. I know she wanted to be here, but next time, she’ll be here with our little boy.”
Chalmers, too, has never been happier with life outside the pool.
“I think that’s why I’m able to swim fast and produce times like that. This year, I have swum quite well in Europe and then to be able to back it up here at home is special,” said Chalmers, with Norwegian fiancée Ingeborg Løyning expecting their baby daughter.
“Life outside of the pool is going really well and it’s been awesome to be able to go through it all with Cam and have conversations I never thought we’d be having like going up to the gym and talking baby stuff.
TATTS QUICK: Kyle Chalmers has never swum faster. Photo Courtesy Delly Carr (Swimming Australia)
“It’s very foreign, especially for me, but it’s super exciting and to be able to go through it together with someone I’ve looked up to, my whole swimming career is very special.
“And I think having my daughter in the stands watching me is something that’s really motivating me to continue.
“The thought of being at an Olympic Games and having a potential three-year-old there with me will be very special if I’m able to do that.”
On what to expect in the 100m freestyle tomorrow night: “Who knows? I mean, to be able to do a personal best tonight in the 50 is amazing and shows me that my speed is there.
“So hopefully I’m able to execute the things we’ve been working on day-in-day-out with my new coaches, who have sacrificed so much to help me get to this point and believe again, so I’m just hoping to make them proud and produce a really good time tomorrow night.”