In a move reminiscent of American Michael Phelps from back in 2012, Australian freestyle specialist Cameron McEvoy has decided to drop the men’s 200m freestyle from his individual Olympic schedule.
22-year-old McEvoy, nicknamed “The Professor” for his pursuit of a degree in physics, had qualified for the 50m, 100m and 200m individual freestyle events at his nation’s Olympic Trials back in April. In swimming all 3 races, along with all 3 Australian relays, McEvoy had a shot at becoming the first Australian in Olympic history to win 6 medals at a single Games.
Instead, recognizing his chances at reaching the men’s 200m freestyle podium are relatively small, McEvoy is focusing on the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay, in the hopes of improving upon the Aussie’s 4th place result from London. Teamed up with James Roberts, James Magnusson and young gun Kyle Chalmers, the 400m freestyle relay will now be McEvoy’s first event on a packed line-up in Rio, as opposed to coming after the 200m freestyle individual prelims and semi-finals.
Thomas Fraser-Holmes tied McEvoy in the 200m freestyle at Aussie Trials and will remain in the event in Rio, while 3rd place finisher David McKeon is now bumped into the individual slot at the GAmes.
With 2 individual freestyle events and 3 relays, McEvoy still has a shot at matching Australian legends Ian Thorpe, Shane Gould and Alicia Coutts in wrangling in 5 Olympic medals at a single Games. McEvoy already made history this year by becoming the fastest 100m freestyler ever in a textile suit by clocking a 47.04 at his nation’s Olympic Trials in April.
McEvoy’s thought process in dropping the event is revealed in his comments as follows.
“It’s been a decision that Richard (Scarce) and I have spent a lot of time thinking about in fact I believe it was in Rich’s train of thought even before the Trials. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, especially seeing I have been doing the 200m freestyle internationally for so long and it has been one of my favourite and main events for my entire swimming career.”
“But we have had to take a step back and look at the bigger picture of the entire week and remember that I am only human and that I do have my limitations. If the program was more like the World Championship years then I am sure I would not be pulling out of the 200m free. Unfortunately it’s not and it is on the same day as the 4x100m freestyle relay and the 4x200m is the same day as the 100m freestyle.”
“The relay timing with my main events is not the best; there are great benefits for my withdrawal personally but there are great benefits for the relays too.”
“I’ll be fresher for the 4x100m on day two and I’ll be able to step up and absolutely give that my all and on day four I’ll be fresher for the 4x200m as well.”
“It does have a lingering effect on the relay team and I’m sure the boys in the relay team will feel for me at having to pull out but at the same time they will be excited that I will be ready and roaring to go beside them in the relay.”
Time for David Mckeon to lose his tourist tag.
Time to get the monkey off his back.
If he swims to his potential he could medal….COULD.
I really hope so.
TFH has been quiet since trials training his butt off.
He could be the one to sink under the radar.
TFH went 1.45 flat in 2014, including beating James Guy, but that was before Guy’s breakout year last year. If TFH gets back to that form & improves he could be a smokie!!!!
The 4×100 is massive for Australia and a gold medal result there could really help set the right tone for the Australian men’s side. It’s a smart move. Cam’s also giving himself every chance in his most competitive events.
Good decision and a real boost for the relays , this is the Dutch head coach influence a superb tactician and will see some other surprises in the Australian relays as well.
Good choice, david mckeon probably has a similar shot at making the final, so giving him the position is bettet for australia overall with cam now focused on the 4×1. Also not sure why people are saying its more of a long shot for him win a medal in the 50. Hes never shown up in an international 200 final and done well, whereas his 21.44–if replicated–has a shot at a minor medal in rio… and if he improves on that time i dont see why he wouldnt be in the conversation
Well, Dave McKeon nearly always surprises in a negative way at WC or Olympics. Honestly, I would be very surprised to see him in the final.
Totally agree. Prior to Australian trials,, McEvoy was probably more a 100-200 swimmer, with him being favourite for 100 in RIO & finalist in 200. A swim in the 50 was just a bit of fun. After the Australian trials, he was a 50-100-200 swimmer. I thought he was a better chance in 50 then 200. Now this confirms it, he must fancy his chances in the 50 now, he must see improvements to drop the 200, which I agree, finalist at best.
It could also be that McKeon has incorporated his new 100 speed (49.3) into a better 200. That’s a possible 1.45+ for a mid distance guy .Whilst Davo is off with the faeries in major comps – he is an enormous talent . Someone wbo goes 3.51 on 15 months training has the physical goods.
That 800 relay imo could surprise & with mcevoy anchoring in an unknown (to rival teamz ) capacity – ????
Fraser Holmes Horton McEvoy McKeon should put a decent relay time will be faster then they were Kazan should be able to bag a silver medal
I don’t have an agenda when commenting on an upcoming comp. The cards will fall where they may & there is no need to disparage others. But i got a good feeling about this event & the team in general.
I think you left out Dan Smith he has a 1:46.50 in 2015 in Chartres, France.
Australia has some depth in the 4X200, with McEvoy, Smith, Fraser Holmes, McKeon & Horton all in the 1.45-1.46 range & will surprise, but the US are strong favourites with 3 x 1.45 swimmers plus GOAT.
I doubt they will drop Lochte for MP. On paper there is less than one second so The US can’t put in MP without him being really in form -which he has not been in free.
I agree with Gina, MP’s free has been “not pretty”.
There’s already Dwyer, Haas, Conger, Lochte, all of whom are 1:45 swimmers. Bob is not going to put MP in 4×200 final.
A sensible move by the McEvoy camp, as it will at least lighten his schedule. As to whether it will pay dividends, we’ll know by this time next month.
He might have contended for a minor medal, guess he’s primary 50/100 now
This is not about the 50, where his chances are lower. This is all about the relays and the 100 individual and I agree it was predicted by many and obviously a smart move. But training for and swimming the 200 at Aussie Trials, etc has been an excellent way to improve his 100 that will pay dividends in Rio. I’m a lot less hopeful for an upset by Adrian now. The stars seem to be aligning for McEvoy. But the relays will be even more exciting now.
Why are his chances low he has the 2nd fastest time in the world in the 50?
Yeah I wasn’t clear there. But to clarify I said lower, not low as you said, and I meant lower than the 100 and the relays. In the 50 anything can happen with so many swimmers bunched together with close times, so chances for him to get upset for a medal (or a gold) are much higher than in the 100. Plus, not swimming the 200 is not going to have that much effect on his 50 either way given the schedule, but will have much more effect in the 100 individual and 4×100 relay.
Wise choice from the professor , unfortunately the timing of the events are tough on him schedule wise he can still put in a decent 200m swim for the Aussies in the relay.
Maybe I should upgrade my prediction for AUS 4×100 free chances now that mcEvoy no longer swim 200… hmmm..
Expected, he had no medal Chance anyway and he has enough other Events (50/100 free, Medley relay, 4×100 free relay, 4×200 free relay).