Commonwealth Games, Glasgow: Cam McEvoy Launches 50m Freestyle World Record Attack With Personal Best Training Time in German Camp
The world’s fastest human Cam McEvoy is on track to launch another full-scale attack on his 50-meter freestyle world record when the 23rd Commonwealth Games kicks off next week in Glasgow. The 32-year-old Olympic and dual world champion is putting the finishing touches to his third Commonwealth Games campaign at the Australian Dolphins pre-Games camp in Darmstadt.
And McEvoy, under the watchful eye of coach Tim Lane, has clocked a personal best training time just four days after arriving in Germany from his Brisbane training base.
“So today was my last session of the year where I’ve done something that was longer on the speed side, so I went out to 35m,” said McEvoy.
“It was a training PB actually, which is always what you want and just four days off the back of a trip from Australia to Europe which is really nice.
IN PERSONAL BEST FORM: Cam McEvoy to unleash in Glasgow. Photo Courtesy (Swimming Australia)
“I didn’t do anything past 25 prior to my 20.88 (world record) … I’m moving well. It’s now time to kick back and relax and let the rest of it come up in its own time.
“There are a few things I can compare but I’ll keep that to myself…I am happy with where I am at.”
McEvoy made his Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow 12 years ago when he finished second to England’s Ben Proud in the 50m freestyle final with fellow Australian James Magnussen third – 2014 the first of three consecutive gold medal wins for Proud who went on to set a Games record of 21.11 on the Gold Coast in 2018 with McEvoy third.
Proud, who along with Magnussen, were two of the highest profile defectors to the Enhanced Games this year, wrapped up his three-peat in Birmingham in 2022 while McEvoy was on a break and weighing his future.
That future has seen the four-time Olympian unleash his power packed new lease of life on swimming’s one-lap-dash.
“I am excited to see what the experience is like. what the venue is like ..now 12 years on…a lot has changed and a lot has changed for the better as well…,” said McEvoy.
“I just want to take a trip down memory lane …”
McEvoy aims to add his first Commonwealth Games gold to a collection that includes that elusive Olympic gold he won in Paris in 2024 and the two World Championship golds in 2023 and 2025.
Gold in Glasgow will also be another milestone – to become only the second Australian to take the title since Andrew Baildon beat 1982 Games high jumper Angus Waddell in Auckland in 1990.
McEvoy could well lead an Australian trifecta in the 50m freestyle with fellow Dolphins Jamie Jack (21.52) and Flynn Southam (21.72) next in line on the Commonwealth rankings.
“The depth we have on the team right now is incredible…we have a lot of kids coming through…who are rookies on the team,” said McEvoy.
“And a lot of young kids who are ranking really well in the world…not just currently but looking ahead to Brisbane 2032..
“Being young now, you are going to be of age and in your prime for a home Games….I am excited to see them now and what they can do but I’m also excited to see that next wave move through over the next six years to see where they are in the future.”
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The Games get underway with the Opening Ceremony on Thursday, July 23 with the six-days of swimming from Friday, July 24 to Wednesday, July 29. The heats and semifinals of the men’s 50m freestyle will be swum on Saturday, July 25 with the final set down for Sunday, July 26.