Commonwealth Games Swimming Medal Predictions: Can Anyone Stop Magnussen and Campbell in 100 Free?
Each day through July 23, Swimming World’s Jeff Commings and David Rieder will offer medal predictions in the 19 swimming events on tap at the Commonwealth Games, which begins July 24 in Glasgow, Scotland. We invite you to offer your picks in our Reaction Time comments section below!
Commentary by David Rieder
CHARLESTON, South Carolina, July 20. HOW often does a two-time world champion lose the final of his event at his national championships? It’s rare. That happened in April, however, when Cameron McEvoy beat out James Magnussen in the men’s 100 free in Australia. McEvoy, the fourth place finisher at the World Championships last year, blistered a time of 47.65, a time that ranks second in the world to Magnussen’s 47.59 from earlier in the year. No one else has broken 48 yet this year, even though U.S. Nationals and all the major international competitions are still to come.
With the Australians appearing a lock to finish one-two in some order, the battle sets up to be for the bronze medal. Although he hasn’t posted any especially impressive times yet this year, England’s Adam Brown finished ninth at Worlds last year with his time of 48.48. A third Australian, Tomasso D’Orsogna, could contest the event in Glasgow after grabbing third at Nationals in 48.72. It’s hard to see anyone outside of these four claiming hardware here.
Men’s 100 free medal predictions
Gold: James Magnussen, Australia
Silver: Cameron McEvoy, Australia
Bronze: Adam Brown, England
The Australian women don’t fall too far off the pace of the men in the world rankings, as they hold the first and third-ranked times, with the fifth to boot. Cate Campbell won the World title in the event last year with a blistering 52.34 (and leading off Australia’s 400 free relay in 52.33), and she holds the top time this year at 52.68. Cate’s sister, Bronte, almost broke into the 52-range with her 53.02 at Australia’s Nationals, while Emma McKeon clocked a 53.43 and will gun for hardware in Glasgow.
While on paper set up for an Australian 1-2-3 finish, Fran Halsall looms as the big darkhorse. The English star skipped the event at the World Championships last year in favor of the 50 free and 50 fly, but a return would make her an obvious medal favorite. Meanwhile, the Bahamas’ Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace finished tenth at Worlds last year, and while she may have a better shot at a medal in the 50 free, the 100 remains well within her range as well. South Africa’s Karen Prinsloo joined Vanderpool-Wallace in those semi-finals, and while England’s Amy Smith and Canada’s Victoria Poon should be finalists, their medal chances appear slim.
Women’s 100 free medal predictions
Gold: Cate Campbell, Australia
Silver: Fran Halsall, England
Bronze: Emma McKeon, Australia
Check out our previous medal predictions by clicking the links below: