Paris gold medallist Cameron McEvoy expresses enthusiasm for emerging Olympic discipline

BRISBANE: Cameron McEvoy secured a gold medal at the Paris Olympics and is eyeing the possibility of winning two golds at the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics in three years.

The Queensland swimmer showcased his prowess by clinching victory in the 50m butterfly at the Australian swimming championships, which commenced on Easter Monday, finishing with a time of 23.18 seconds. This performance left Isaac Cooper (23.63) and Matthew Temple (23.76) trailing behind.

During the event, McEvoy was questioned about the recent announcement that the Olympic programme would feature six additional 50m events, including both men’s and women’s 50m butterfly, at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. The inquiry, posed by three-time Olympic medallist Matt Welsh on the Nine broadcast from the Brisbane Aquatic Centre, led McEvoy to express his desire for butterfly gold in LA.

“I think it’s fantastic that they’re adding six 50m events. I’m definitely supportive of it,” McEvoy stated, who previously triumphed in the 50m freestyle at the Paris Olympics, marking his first Olympic gold.

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“I’m going to strive to add the 50m fly to the Olympic schedule,” he remarked.

“I anticipate a surge of competitors entering the 50s event, which will make it quite challenging.”

Opening night at the national championships also featured a contest between Mollie O’Callaghan and Meg Harris. Nine months after their collaboration earned Olympic gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay, O’Callaghan and Harris set aside their friendship to compete for gold in the 100m freestyle.

O’Callaghan emerged victorious, powering ahead in the final stretch to secure first place with a time of 53.12 seconds.

Her personal best stands at 52.08, achieved on her way to winning gold at the 2023 world championships in Fukuoka, Japan.

Harris recorded a time of 54.03 on Monday night, with Alex Perkins, who earned a medley relay silver in Paris, finishing third at 54.21.

Shayna Jack, who previously collaborated with O’Callaghan, Harris, and retired Emma McKeon to win gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay in France, finished fifth in 54.56 seconds.

The Brisbane swimmer has recently returned to training after her experience on the television show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!.

“It’s reassuring to see my times are improving, as I get back into the swing of things,” O’Callaghan mentioned during the Nine coverage.

“However, my determination to fully return to training and surpass my previous performance remains strong.”

The first night of the competition was further highlighted by the presence of Italian champion Thomas Ceccon, who struck gold in Paris for the 100m backstroke.

Ceccon is currently under the guidance of esteemed coach Dean Boxall at St Peters Western in Brisbane. On Easter Monday, he comfortably won the 200m backstroke event in a time of 1:55.71.

“The training environment here is vastly different; at home, I’ve typically trained alone or with a maximum of three individuals my entire career,” Ceccon explained.

“Therefore, I truly appreciate the camaraderie of training with a group of 20. It feels like a family. Plus, on weekends, I can drive to the Gold Coast for some surfing!”