Don’t Forget! As Cam McEvoy Returns to 100 Freestyle, Aussie Has Stellar Track Record
No one in the sport knows speed like Cam McEvoy. The Australian veteran, a four-time Olympian, is the reigning Olympic gold medalist in the 50-meter freestyle. He’s the world-record holder in the event. He owns a pair of world championships. And he’s the only athlete to break the 21-second barrier on more than one occasion, accomplishing the feat twice during the 2026 season.
Nicknamed “The Professor,” McEvoy has adopted a training program – along with coach Tim Lane – that consists of low volume and high-intensity work. The 32-year-old is also a gym rat, logging numerous hours in the weight room. Obviously, the setup has worked for McEvoy, whose approach has been embraced in similar fashion by other athletes, including American breaststroker Van Mathias.
At the midway point to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, McEvoy recently announced that he will add the 100 freestyle to his competition program. That news is a positive development for Australia, which already boasts impressive depth in the event. If McEvoy can find speed akin to what he has demonstrated in the 50 freestyle, there will be additional promise to Australia’s pursuit of 400 freestyle relay gold at LA28.
How will McEvoy’s training click for the 100 freestyle? What kind of changes will be made? How fast will he ultimately go? Those questions will be answered in due time. As McEvoy returns the event to his program, it’s worth noting that the 100 freestyle was one of his original focuses, along with the 200 freestyle. McEvoy is still the Australian record holder in the event, thanks to the 47.04 he posted at the 2016 Aussie Champs in Adelaide.
During his career, McEvoy has collected multiple accolades in the two-lap event, notably a silver-medal finish at the 2015 World Championships in Kazan. He also won gold in the 100 freestyle at the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships and was the silver medalist at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. In relay action, McEvoy has helped Australia to podium finishes on 11 occasions while contributing a 100 freestyle.
As McEvoy embarks on this latest chapter in his career, it will be interesting to see if his success in the 50 freestyle transfers to twice the distance. If nothing else, McEvoy deserves credit for taking on an extra challenge, and continuing his constant search for greatness.