Ben Proud<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/strong> meet in Rome that same summer.<\/p>\n He now owns the top 34 times in British history before Lewis Burras<\/strong> appears in the rankings with 21.68 from the 2022 Commonwealth Games.<\/p>\n The one-length blast at the Aquatics Centre was the third swiftest in the world this year behind Cameron McEvoy’s<\/strong> 21.13 prelim and 21.23 semi at the 2024 World Championships<\/strong> in Doha.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Proud led home four men inside 22secs with Matt Richards<\/strong> adding 50 silver to his 100 free gold in 21.83 – also inside the cut of 21.88 – and Alexander Cohoon<\/strong> and David Cumberlidge<\/strong> going 21.90 and 21.98 respectively.<\/p>\n Lewis Burras<\/strong> (22.09), Alexander Painter<\/strong> (22.16), Jordan Cooley<\/strong> (22.24) and Calvin Fry<\/strong> (22.32) completed a speedy field.<\/p>\n It was a seventh national 50 free title and 10th overall medal for Proud who said:<\/p>\n “Seeing the quality of the guys making the team this year, I realised this was my only shot to make it.<\/p>\n “I did get a little bit overwhelmed by the fact I have to really…..no mistakes, just get it done.<\/p>\n “So I am super-happy that I got the swim done that I should have.<\/p>\n “And to be honest, the time was something really fantastic.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n