West End’s Cameron McEvoy has welcomed the arrival of his first child, a baby boy named Hartley James, born on Thursday, July 10.
Read: Cameron McEvoy Strikes Gold: Aussie Veteran Triumphs in Olympic 50m Freestyle
In a joint Instagram post with his wife Madeline, the couple shared the news and revealed that their son’s name was chosen as a tribute to strength of heart.
McEvoy recounted how quickly things unfolded that day, revealing they arrived at the hospital in the afternoon, unaware Hartley James would be born just a few hours later. With Madeline remaining unusually calm throughout early labour, staff were surprised to discover she was already well into the process.
“We had a well thought out birthing plan because of Maddi’s heart which basically involved as little pain as possible to keep her heart rate down. But Hartley seemed to have different plans. Before we knew it, he was earth side in our hands before 7pm,” he wrote.
“It was fast, wild, calm, and beautiful all at the same time. A blur and yet the clearest moments of our lives. Words do so little for how much we love this little guy already. Mum and baby are both doing exceptionally well.”
The couple tied the knot in February after getting engaged late last year. Madeline is a registered nurse and PhD student at Griffith University, focusing on wound care and predictive modelling using machine learning. McEvoy, who holds a degree in physics and mathematics, has spoken about his long-term goal of becoming an astronaut after swimming.
Read: Veteran Sprinter Cameron McEvoy Becomes First Australian Swimmer to Compete in Four Olympics
The new arrival comes as McEvoy prepares for his next big challenge in the pool. He will represent Australia at the World Championships in Singapore later this month, competing in the 50m freestyle. The event kicks off on July 26, with McEvoy aiming for another podium finish following his Olympic triumph in Paris.
Published 18-July-2025
