British Trials, Day 5 Finals: Ben Proud Fires Off 21.25 In 50 Free; 0.14 Outside British Record

Ben Proud: Photo Courtesy: Morgan Harlow, Aquatics GB

British Trials, Day 5 Finals: Ben Proud Fires Off 21.25 In 50 Free; 0.14 Outside British Record

Ben Proud was 0.14 outside his British 50 free record as he fired off 21.25 and booked a place at his third Olympics in the process.

It was the third-fastest time of the 29-year-old’s career, topped by his 21.11 at the 2018 European Championships in Glasgow and followed by the 21.16 at the Sette Colli meet in Rome that same summer.

He now owns the top 34 times in British history before Lewis Burras appears in the rankings with 21.68 from the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The one-length blast at the Aquatics Centre was the third swiftest in the world this year behind Cameron McEvoy’s 21.13 prelim and 21.23 semi at the 2024 World Championships in Doha.

It also ranks as the joint 19th fastest in history alongside McEvoy and his effort in the semis at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka.

Proud led home four men inside 22secs with Matt Richards adding 50 silver to his 100 free gold in 21.83 – also inside the cut of 21.88 – and Alexander Cohoon and David Cumberlidge going 21.90 and 21.98 respectively.

Lewis Burras (22.09), Alexander Painter (22.16), Jordan Cooley (22.24) and Calvin Fry (22.32) completed a speedy field.

It was a seventh national 50 free title and 10th overall medal for Proud who said:

“Seeing the quality of the guys making the team this year, I realised this was my only shot to make it.

“I did get a little bit overwhelmed by the fact I have to really…..no mistakes, just get it done.

“So I am super-happy that I got the swim done that I should have.

“And to be honest, the time was something really fantastic.”

Storming his way to Paris 🌪️

Ben Proud demolished the 50m Freestyle nomination time as he secured yet another British title in London, as Matt Richards joins him under the target 🤯🎯#Athlete #Swimming pic.twitter.com/7ZXBwSlYHE

— Aquatics GB (@Aquatics_GB) April 6, 2024

Proud has won every title available to him – world and European long and short-course as well as Commonwealth – with an Olympic medal the only silverware missing from his glittering collection.

He won the world short-course title in December 2021 and in 2022, Proud became the first swimmer to win world, Commonwealth and European golds in one season, writing a unique line in history in less than eight busy weeks.

It was a far cry from the desolate athlete following the race at the Tokyo Olympics where he came joint fifth with Kristian Gkolomeev, five years after fourth at Rio 2016.

He continued:

“It’s been ups and downs, some people know it and some people don’t.

“I am just trying to love the sport: 2022 I was swimming quick and it was quite surreal because it just came so quickly….

“But I think that was back at the World Cups before the last Games: I was getting a bit worried that I couldn’t get under 21.5 for a little while.

“To be honest, it’s good that this is now one of the fastest swims I’ve done and that is massive credit to the team around me – my sponsors, my swimming family that keep me going.

“I am now fully based out in Gloria (Turkey) and …….I love the lifestyle.

“I was considering retirement a few years ago and now I want to keep swimming.”

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