Ben Proud “Like A Greyhound Waiting To Be Let Go”

Ben Proud: Photo Courtesy: Morgan Harlow, Aquatics GB

Ben Proud “Like A Greyhound Waiting To Be Let Go”

Ben Proud’s odyssey since he first left Malaysian shores at 16 has seen him cross continents, train in the Pacific Ocean with Anthony Ervin and claim every title bar the Olympics.

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 in Glasgow.

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.

Proud became the first man to simultaneously hold the world, Commonwealth and European titles, clinching the treble in less than eight busy weeks in the summer of 2022.

PROUD Benjamin GBR Gold Medal Men's 50m Freestyle Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates 19/12/21 Etihad Arena FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Photo Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

Ben Proud: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

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.

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 at the end of Olympic year.

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

It will be his third Olympics after fourth at Rio 2016 – 0.19 behind the USA’s Nathan Adrian in third – was followed by that fifth place in Japan.

Proud said:

“I 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’s something worthy to be quite proud of.

“I still kind of sit in this position where regardless of what happens at this meet, I’m 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’ve done through my career.

“Saying that, I’m just excited to just race again because the year of training I’ve had, the past 12 months, has been so steady and controlled and consistent and something that I’ve not had in such a long time.

“For me it is such the excitement of being able to race again: I feel like a greyhound that’s sat waiting to be let go, to just run. I’m just excited to get to that pool and swim.”

The Enduring Influence Of Anthony Ervin

As Proud finished fourth in Rio, Ervin claimed the title in 21.40, 16 years after winning at Sydney 2000 as he became the oldest champion in the event’s history.

Their stories were once more intertwined as Proud – seeking to rediscover his love of the water – travelled to Kapolei, Hawaii to join up with Elliot Ptasnik, founder and head coach of professional training group Aloha Aquatica.

There he worked with Ervin, five-time Olympic champion Aaron Peirsol and Andrii Govorov, the 50 fly world-record holder and two-time European champion.

They trained together in the Pacific Ocean where they shared the water with whales, turtles and sharks.

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.

Ben Proud: Photo Courtesy: British Swimming

Proud and Ervin also shared many conversations away from the water in what was a transformative period in the former’s life.

While he doesn’t have much contact with Ervin, the Briton said:

“Not 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.

“It had been exactly what I needed.

“Everyone 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.

“I received a message prior to racing in Fukuoka and it’s just one of these things, very few words but it just has so much emphasis behind it.

“I am feeling like I am supported by a lot of good people right now.”

Clearness Of Mindset

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, Türkiye, which he has described as his “happy place”.

Proud is essentially self-coached, albeit under the watchful eye of James Gibson with input from strength and conditioning coach Marco Cosso.

He has found a way of training that suits him, a balance, saying:

“I feel better prepared than I’ve ever done so but without that stress on the body or without that mental pressure that you tend to put yourself under.

“I 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.

“I feel much more in control of myself and my abilities and everything: it is just a very refreshing feeling.”

Proud On Dressel

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

Also present will be Caeleb Dressel, the reigning Olympic champion.

Dressel won five titles in Tokyo – including the 50 and 100 free plus the 100 fly – but stepped away from the pool during the 2022 worlds.

Proud last year described the American to Swimming World as “the best sprinter our generation has seen.”

ben-proud-50-free-2022-world-championships-budapest-1

Ben Proud: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

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?

“I think you have a lot guys – especially this year – who are starting to show good times, in terms of singular stand-up performances – me being one of them I’d say.

“But 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.

“So, when I say best sprinter, he is just so hard to beat in that sense.

“I’d say this year is different because of his new approach as well.

“I wouldn’t be able to name many other sprinters who are of his calibre just in terms of pure – I don’t want to say natural talent because I know it’s not natural talent – it’s hard work and his lifestyle, his journey.

“He is definitely a person that you can’t deny the accolades that he’s achieved and just the sheer respect for his performances from other swimmers.”