{"id":266103,"date":"2017-07-17T12:00:20","date_gmt":"2017-07-17T19:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=266103"},"modified":"2017-07-17T12:07:39","modified_gmt":"2017-07-17T19:07:39","slug":"fina-world-championships-predictions-mens-50-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/fina-world-championships-predictions-mens-50-free\/","title":{"rendered":"FINA World Championships Predictions: Men’s 50 Free"},"content":{"rendered":"

The field for the men’s 50 free at the FINA World Championships will be missing some familiar names, including the reigning Olympic gold medalist and the reigning World Champion.<\/p>\n

Olympic gold medalist Anthony Ervin\u00a0<\/strong>won’t be in Budapest after he was sixth in the event at U.S. Nationals. World Champion and Olympic silver medalist\u00a0Florent Manaudou\u00a0<\/strong>is taking the year off from competition.<\/p>\n

Rio Bronze medalist\u00a0Nathan Adrian<\/strong> will be in the field, but his 100 free has been much stronger than his 50 so far this season, as he ranks only 10th in the world at 21.87.<\/p>\n

Right now, the favorite looks like\u00a022-year-old Brit\u00a0Ben Proud<\/strong>, who has the top time in the world this year. The only man in the field with a major title to his credit?\u00a0Cesar Cielo<\/strong>, the Brazilian 2008 Olympic gold medalist and 2009\/2011\/2013 World Champion, back after missing out on a spot in the Olympic Games last year.<\/p>\n

Read below to see what\u00a0Swimming World’s\u00a0<\/em>trio of experts think will happen in\u00a0Budapest.\u00a0David Rieder<\/strong>,\u00a0John Lohn<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Andy Ross<\/strong>\u00a0will each offer their predictions for\u00a0who will finish on the podium.<\/p>\n

Men’s\u00a050 Free<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Current Records:<\/h3>\n

World Record:<\/strong>\u00a0Cesar Cielo, BRA (2009) — 20.91
\nChampionship Record:<\/strong>\u00a0Cesar Cielo, BRA (2009) — 21.08
\nAmerican Record:<\/strong>\u00a0Nathan Adrian (2015) — 21.37<\/p>\n

2015 World Champion:<\/strong>\u00a0Florent Manaudou, FRA — 21.19
\n2016 Olympic Gold Medalist:<\/strong>\u00a0Anthony Ervin, USA — 21.40
\n2017 World No. 1:<\/strong>\u00a0Ben Proud, GBR — 21.32<\/p>\n

Swimming World Predictions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

David Rieder’s Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold:<\/strong>\u00a0Ben Proud, GBR
\nSilver<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Caeleb Dressel, USA
\nBronze:<\/strong>\u00a0Vladimir Morozov, RUS<\/p>\n

John Lohn’s Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold:<\/strong> Caeleb Dressel, USA
\nSilver<\/strong>:<\/strong> Ben Proud, GBR
\nBronze:<\/strong> Vladimir Morozov, RUS<\/p>\n

Andy Ross’ Picks:<\/h3>\n

Gold:<\/strong>\u00a0Ben Proud, GBR
\nSilver<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Caeleb Dressel, USA
\nBronze:<\/strong>\u00a0Cameron McEvoy, AUS<\/p>\n

Previous\u00a0Events<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Day One:<\/h3>\n