{"id":591281,"date":"2024-07-23T22:01:43","date_gmt":"2024-07-24T05:01:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=591281"},"modified":"2024-07-23T22:18:41","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T05:18:41","slug":"ben-proud-like-a-greyhound-waiting-to-be-let-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/ben-proud-like-a-greyhound-waiting-to-be-let-go\/","title":{"rendered":"Ben Proud “Like A Greyhound Waiting To Be Let Go”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ben Proud “Like A Greyhound Waiting To Be Let Go”<\/h4>\n

Ben Proud’s<\/strong>\u00a0odyssey since he first left Malaysian shores at 16 has seen him cross continents, train in the Pacific Ocean with Anthony Ervin<\/strong> and claim every title bar the Olympics.<\/p>\n

The Great Britain athlete stands fifth all-time in the 50m freestyle rankings with his national record of 21.11 that has stood since the 2018 European Championships<\/strong> in Glasgow.<\/p>\n

He has been at the very top table for many years, claiming his first international titles at the 2014 Commonwealth Games where he clinched the 50 free\/fly double.<\/p>\n

Proud became the first man to simultaneously hold the world, Commonwealth and European titles<\/a>, clinching the treble in less than eight busy weeks in the summer of 2022.<\/p>\n

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Ben Proud: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini \/ Deepbluemedia \/ Insidefoto<\/p><\/div>\n

That came a year after he finished joint fifth in Tokyo, Proud desolate and inconsolable as he fell short of the performance level of which he is so capable.<\/p>\n

His mental wellbeing spiralled and he was on the brink of retirement before returning to the pool and claiming the world short-course title in Abu Dhabi<\/a> at the end of Olympic year.<\/p>\n

The 29-year-old heads to Paris having produced the third-fastest time of his career in April<\/a> when he posted 21.25 at the British trials, eclipsed in 2024 by only Cameron McEvoy<\/strong> and his efforts of 21.13 and 21.23 at the World Championships in Doha where Proud won bronze.<\/p>\n

It will be his third Olympics after fourth at Rio 2016<\/strong> \u2013 0.19 behind the USA\u2019s Nathan Adrian<\/strong> in third \u2013 was followed by that fifth place in Japan.<\/p>\n

Proud said:<\/p>\n

\u201cI can say I have had a successful career: maybe not in the Olympic sense but even still, this is my third Olympics and I think that\u2019s something worthy to be quite proud of.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still kind of sit in this position where regardless of what happens at this meet, I\u2019m happy to be a swimmer and happy to do what I do and I feel if it were to be taken away – touch wood – I would be very content with what I\u2019ve done through my career.<\/p>\n

\u201cSaying that, I\u2019m just excited to just race again because the year of training I\u2019ve had, the past 12 months, has been so steady and controlled and consistent and something that I\u2019ve not had in such a long time.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me it is such the excitement of being able to race again: I feel like a greyhound that\u2019s sat waiting to be let go, to just run. I\u2019m just excited to get to that pool and swim.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Enduring Influence Of Anthony Ervin<\/h3>\n

As Proud finished fourth in Rio, Ervin claimed the title in 21.40, 16 years after winning at Sydney 2000<\/strong> as he became the oldest champion in the event\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Their stories were once more intertwined as Proud \u2013 seeking to rediscover his love of the water \u2013 travelled to Kapolei, Hawaii to join up with Elliot Ptasnik<\/strong>, founder and head coach of professional training group Aloha Aquatica.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There he worked with Ervin, five-time Olympic champion Aaron Peirsol <\/strong>and Andrii Govorov<\/strong>, the 50 fly world-record holder and two-time European champion.<\/p>\n

They trained together in the Pacific Ocean where they shared the water with whales, turtles and sharks.<\/p>\n

Ptasnik and Proud worked on getting a feel for the water, engaging with it and increasing body awareness in the pool and the ocean, building up to 15m sprints in five-metre increments.<\/p>\n

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Ben Proud: Photo Courtesy: British Swimming<\/p><\/div>\n

Proud and Ervin also shared many conversations away from the water in what was a transformative period in the former\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

While he doesn\u2019t have much contact with Ervin, the Briton said:<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in the physical form but I would say the time we had together has massively influenced my approach to swimming and to the enjoyment and to just the kind of energy that I was looking for to see me though to Paris.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt had been exactly what I needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone who knows me knows that I am a terrible communicator but on a deeper level I am super-grateful and I kind of carry that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI received a message prior to racing in Fukuoka and it\u2019s just one of these things, very few words but it just has so much emphasis behind it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am feeling like I am supported by a lot of good people right now.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Clearness Of Mindset<\/h3>\n

While in 2023, Proud travelled to Malaysia and the USA to seek inspiration, this year has been one of tunnel vision at his base in Gloria, T\u00fcrkiye<\/strong>, which he has described as his \u201chappy place\u201d.<\/p>\n

Proud is essentially self-coached, albeit under the watchful eye of James Gibson<\/strong> with input from strength and conditioning coach Marco Cosso<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

He has found a way of training that suits him, a balance, saying:<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel better prepared than I\u2019ve ever done so but without that stress on the body or without that mental pressure that you tend to put yourself under.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am feeling good and I think I just kind of realised that leading into these Games compared to three years ago, just the mindset in terms of focus and understanding where I am and what I need to do is so much more clear.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel much more in control of myself and my abilities and everything: it is just a very refreshing feeling.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Proud On Dressel<\/h3>\n

As well as McEvoy, awaiting in Paris will be the likes of Florent Manaudou<\/strong> \u2013 seeking his fourth straight medal in the event after his golden debut at London 2012 \u2013 world champion Vladyslav Bukhov<\/strong> and Josh Liendo<\/strong> of Canada.<\/p>\n

Also present will be Caeleb Dressel<\/strong>, the reigning Olympic champion.<\/p>\n

Dressel won five titles in Tokyo \u2013 including the 50 and 100 free plus the 100 fly \u2013 but stepped away from the pool during the 2022 worlds.<\/p>\n

Proud last year described the American to Swimming World as \u201cthe best sprinter our generation has seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Ben Proud: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli \/ Deepbluemedia \/ Insidefoto<\/p><\/div>\n

While those of us watching on see the titles and the WRs, what is it that Proud sees as himself one of the best sprinters in history?<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you have a lot guys \u2013 especially this year \u2013 who are starting to show good times, in terms of singular stand-up performances – me being one of them I\u2019d say.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut then you come to Dressel who is not only a multi-eventer, he performs his best race under the pressure of the crowds and spectators.<\/p>\n

“So, when I say best sprinter, he is just so hard to beat in that sense.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d say this year is different because of his new approach as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t be able to name many other sprinters who are of his calibre just in terms of pure \u2013 I don\u2019t want to say natural talent because I know it\u2019s not natural talent – it\u2019s hard work and his lifestyle, his journey.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is definitely a person that you can\u2019t deny the accolades that he\u2019s achieved and just the sheer respect for his performances from other swimmers.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Read more about Ben Proud<\/strong>:<\/p>\n