West End’s Cameron McEvoy has etched his name in the history books of Australian swimming by securing a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics, making him the first male athlete from the nation to compete in four Olympic Games.
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Cameron McEvoy qualifies in 50m freestyle
Cameron McEvoy, 30, punched his ticket to Paris on Wednesday, June 12, clinching victory in the 50m freestyle final at the Australian Olympic Trials with a winning time of 21.35 seconds — allowing him to join the team for his fourth Olympics.
McEvoy’s journey to this historic achievement has been unconventional. After the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, McEvoy took a break from the sport, feeling exhausted after 18 years of intense training. Upon his return, McEvoy significantly reduced his weekly training distance and incorporated various other athletic disciplines into his regimen.
“About 18 months ago, my goal was to just come back, give this new training approach a go, see what happens and if I can maybe go under 22 (seconds) again I’d be over the moon with that,” McEvoy told reporters. “So what I’ve done so far has just obliterated any expectations I had.”
Unprecedented longevity
McEvoy’s qualification for Paris 2024 marks an unprecedented level of longevity for an Australian male swimmer at the Olympic level. While breaststroke champion Leisel Jones, freestyle standout Cate Campbell, and backstroke veteran Emily Seebohm have represented Australia in four Olympic Games, McEvoy is the first man to achieve this feat.
“I think ultimately it just makes me proud because it shines a light on the persistence and perseverance that I’ve had over… my entire career,” McEvoy said.
Olympic pedigree
McEvoy’s Olympic pedigree is impressive. He made his debut at the 2012 London Olympics as a heats swimmer for the men’s 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relays, which finished fourth and fifth.
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, he secured bronzes in both the men’s 4x100m freestyle and 4x100m medley relays. Four years later in Tokyo, McEvoy added another bronze in the 4x100m freestyle relay to his collection.
Looking ahead, McEvoy harbours ambitions of competing beyond Paris 2024. “I’ll do my best to honour it over in Paris and we’ll see what happens with [Los Angeles 2028] to come and whatever happens after Paris.”
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With his historic qualification, Cameron McEvoy has cemented his status as a trailblazer in Australian swimming, inspiring athletes and coaches alike with his unwavering determination and innovative approach to training.
Published 18-June-2024
