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{"id":652317,"date":"2026-08-27T09:34:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T16:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=652317"},"modified":"2026-08-27T09:34:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T16:34:25","slug":"at-la28-ruta-meilutyte-could-take-a-page-out-of-anthony-ervins-book","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/at-la28-ruta-meilutyte-could-take-a-page-out-of-anthony-ervins-book\/","title":{"rendered":"At LA28, Ruta Meilutyte Could Take a Page Out of Anthony Ervin’s Book"},"content":{"rendered":"

At LA28, Ruta Meilutyte Could Take a Page Out of Anthony Ervin’s Book<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Anthony Ervin<\/strong> wrote one of the best stories the sport has seen. Sixteen years after he shared gold in the 50-meter freestyle at the Sydney Olympics, Ervin edged Frenchman Florent Manaudou<\/strong> by the slimmest of margins to become a two-time champion in the event. Not only did he span eras, the victory made Ervin the oldest individual Olympic gold medalist in swimming history.<\/p>\n

Two years away from the 2028 Games in Los Angeles<\/a>, could there be another 16-year gap between Olympic titles? Ruta<\/strong> Meilutyte<\/strong> has the potential.<\/p>\n

As a 15-year-old at the 2012 Olympics in London, Meilutyte captured the gold medal in the 100 breaststroke with a narrow triumph over American Rebecca Soni<\/strong>. The Lithuanian registered a time of 1:05.47, with Soni just behiund in 1:05.55. The performance launched a spectacular international career for Meilutyte, who followed with world-record efforts and the collection of 15 medals between the World Championships and European Championships.<\/p>\n

Meilutyte was one of two 15-year-olds to win gold at the London Aquatics Centre, the other being Katie Ledecky<\/strong>. It’s safe to say she also jumpstarted a stellar career in the capital of England. Both are now chasing a fifth Olympics, and neither for ceremonial purposes. They remain premier performers who are trying to enhance their rich legacies.<\/p>\n

At the recent European Championships in Paris, Meilutyte won gold in the 50 breaststroke, going 29.93 to clip Italy’s Benedetta<\/strong> Pilato<\/strong> (29.94) and Ireland’s Mona McSharry<\/strong> (29.95). It was the only event Meilutyte contested, as she has seemingly abandoned the 100 breaststroke to focus on the sprint discipline, where she has captured four consecutive world championships.<\/p>\n

With the 50-meter stroke events added to the program for LA28, the timing for the 29-year-old Meilutyte is perfect. While she went 29-high at Euros, she was 29.55 on the way to the world title last summer in Singapore. To reach the podium in Los Angeles, a performance in the 29-mid range – at minimum – will be required. There is no reason to believe Meilutyte won’t return to that territory.<\/p>\n

In Rio, Ervin defined longevity in a new way. Meilutyte has the ability to write her own 16-year reign.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"