- 2016 HANCOCK PROSPECTING AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS (AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC TRIALS)
- Thursday April 7th-Thursday April 14th
- SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre – Adelaide
- Prelims – 11 am local (9:30 pm EDT previous evening); Finals – 7:45 pm local (6:15 am EDT)
- Australian Olympic Qualifying Criteria
- Psych Sheets
- Program of Events
- Live stream
- Live results
Even with the recent injury problems for James Magnussen, the Australian men’s sprint group is neither down nor out. 21-year old Cameron McEvoy on Monday swam a 47.04 in the 100 long course meter freestyle, which is the fastest time ever swum outside of the 2008-2009 super-suit era, the third-fastest time in history, and a new Australian and Commonwealth Record.
McEvoy’s swim is faster than the 2008 mark done by countryman Eamon Sullivan at the Beijing Olympic Games – the fastest time of those Olympics, though it was done in a semi-final and left him with only a silver medal in finals. The fastest time done by any swimmer of any nationality in a ‘textile’ suit allowable under current rules was the 47.10 done by the aforementioned Magnussen at the 2012 Australian National Championships. Magnussen was 20 when he did that swim and hasn’t been faster since.
“It felt no different to any other race,” McEvoy said. “If I had known I was that close [to the World Record], then there might have been something else in me that would have pushed me a bit further. But it’s a 0.52 PB off the PB I did in Perth. It’s unbelievable.
“It puts me into a good position come Rio, but in saying that there is a history of world number ones going in first and not coming out with the gold and the Olympics is notorious for not always producing the best time to win it.
“I’m very much aware of that and I’m very much aware that everyone else in the world will be sitting on their couch watching this race and firing them up getting ready for training at 5am just to beat me. So although it’s good, I can’t sit back and relax and think that that’s going to come without any more effort it Rio – I have a lot to do.”
That time by Magnussen was, in fact, done in this same Adelaide pool.
The Comparative Splits:
- McEvoy ’16: 22.54/24.50 – 47.04
- Sullivan ’08: 22.44/24.61 = 47.05
- Magnussen ’12: 22.68/24.42 – 47.10
Neither of the three swimmers were ever pure sprinters, though Sullivan was moreso than the current two Dolphins – as is borne out in the splits that had Sullivan faster on the opening 50 than either McEvoy or Magnussen in their respective record-setting swims.
The current top 11 performances in the 100 freestyle of all-time:
- Cesar Cielo, Brazil, 46.91 – 2009
- Alain Bernard, France, 46.94 – 2009
- Cameron McEvoy, Australia, 47.04 – 2008
- Eamon Sullivan, Australia, 47.05 – 2008
- Cesar Cielo, Brazil, 47.09 – 2009
- James Magnussen, 47.10, Australia – 2012
- Alain Bernard, France, 47.12 – 2009
- Cesar Cielo, Brazil, 47.13 – 2009
- Fred Bousquet, France, 47.15 – 2009
- Alain Bernard, France, 47.20 – 2008
- Alain Bernard, France, 47.21 – 2008
McEvoy attends the University of Bond, where he trains under coach Richard Scarce and is currently studying physics.
Magnussen, meanwhile, finished just 4th in the race in 48.68, which should earn him a spot on the Australian 400 free relay, but not in the individual swim. That second individual spot will go to 17-year old Kyle Chalmers, who was 48.03.
Wow!
Lets all remember that anything can happen in an Oly year. McEvoy is the first of many surprises. Lets all go back and recap on what the most accredited swimmers said about not just McEvoy, but Straya swimming in general earlier on:
PVDH: “21.7 and 47.5? Yea, he’s tapered.” (After the 47 mid Cam did earlier this year.)
HANK: “If he is really applying physics to his stroke he may be capable of a textile sub 47 swim. That would be amazing.”
LUIGI: “Shaving off another .57 in a 100 free when this is already a PB by tenths of a second? I dont know …” (response to Hank)
COMMONWOMBAT (Paraphrased) said: “(Swims in Perth) were very much “optimal”… Read more »
I love Mcevoy demeanor above all. When Mag did 47.1 he was puffing his chest and acting invulnerable and it blew up in his face in London.
I am sure he didn’t loose because of the chest pounding. Anyone who swims 47.10 has earned a right to celebrate the way they want. Mcevoy’way is great for him but so was Magnussen’s
No, Santo said he would like to win gold. Love the way these comments misconstrue and constantly distort facts.
Santo Condorelli on twitter
Golden boy – @santocondorelli
Well damn….. @CameronMcEvoy ????????????
Didn’t Condorelli say that he was going to win Rio gold?
Somebody then mentioned that Condorelli is like Magnussen pre-London but without World title and 47.10
I think this mcEvoy kid is level-headed, and he doesn’t seem to get too emotionally impacted by pressures.
Less crazy than expecting top 6 or even top 8 under 48..
Don’t the Aussies still have to qualify the 400 Free Relay since they did awful at worlds last summer??
They are the fastest non qualfier and I don´t see 4 teams passing them, but they should do a time trial just for safety.
There will be a TT held at the end of the meet. What will be interesting is WHO will but their hands up for it ?
Will Magnussen be able to swallow pride and ego and be willing to stomach “lesser billing” as a relay only swimmer ?
McEvoy & Chalmers are on the plane. An excellent time, considering the past 3 years, by Roberts but his international CV (both individual and relay) is substandard.
Abood – a very reliable relay performer internationally but will they take 3 “relay only” selections for the one relay ?
Swimsense, I think everybody expects something huge from Dressel in long course and me the first. But I’m afraid of being disappointed.
Ok. I’m crazy.
1. Dressel 47.52
2. Adrian 47.99
Wow, that’s some prediction!
I’m thinking, if anyone swim under 48 at the US trial, would have a shot at gold. I know McEvoy’s time is absolutely incredible, but that’s what i think.