British Trials, Day 5 Finals: Ben Proud Fires Off 21.25 In 50 Free; 0.14 Outside British Record
Ben Proud 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.
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 meet in Rome that same summer.
He now owns the top 34 times in British history before Lewis Burras appears in the rankings with 21.68 from the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The one-length blast at the Aquatics Centre was the third swiftest in the world this year behind Cameron McEvoy’s 21.13 prelim and 21.23 semi at the 2024 World Championships in Doha.
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.
Proud led home four men inside 22secs with Matt Richards adding 50 silver to his 100 free gold in 21.83 – also inside the cut of 21.88 – and Alexander Cohoon and David Cumberlidge going 21.90 and 21.98 respectively.
Lewis Burras (22.09), Alexander Painter (22.16), Jordan Cooley (22.24) and Calvin Fry (22.32) completed a speedy field.
It was a seventh national 50 free title and 10th overall medal for Proud who said:
“Seeing the quality of the guys making the team this year, I realised this was my only shot to make it.
“I did get a little bit overwhelmed by the fact I have to really…..no mistakes, just get it done.
“So I am super-happy that I got the swim done that I should have.
“And to be honest, the time was something really fantastic.”
Proud has won every title available to him – world and European long and short-course as well as Commonwealth – with an Olympic medal the only silverware missing from his glittering collection.
He won the world short-course title in December 2021 and in 2022, Proud became the first swimmer to win world, Commonwealth and European golds in one season, writing a unique line in history in less than eight busy weeks.
It was a far cry from the desolate athlete following the race at the Tokyo Olympics where he came joint fifth with Kristian Gkolomeev, five years after fourth at Rio 2016.
He continued:
“It’s been ups and downs, some people know it and some people don’t.
“I am just trying to love the sport: 2022 I was swimming quick and it was quite surreal because it just came so quickly….
“But I think that was back at the World Cups before the last Games: I was getting a bit worried that I couldn’t get under 21.5 for a little while.
“To be honest, it’s good that this is now one of the fastest swims I’ve done and that is massive credit to the team around me – my sponsors, my swimming family that keep me going.
“I am now fully based out in Gloria (Turkey) and …….I love the lifestyle.
“I was considering retirement a few years ago and now I want to keep swimming.”
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- The Road to Paris: Adam Peaty Ready To Attack British Trials
- Duncan Scott Talks The Highs And Lows of Olympic Year On Eve Of British Trials
- Day 1 Prelims: Adam Peaty Goes 58.53 For Fastest Time Since Tokyo
- Day 1 Finals: Adam Peaty Books Tilt At Three-Peat; Returns To Unique Speed
- Day 2 Prelims: Ollie Morgan Rattles British 100 Back Record In 52.87
- Day 2 Finals: Ollie Morgan Lowers Liam Tancock’s British 100 Back Record To 52.70 And Books Ticket To Paris
- Day 2 Finals: Kathleen Dawson Overcomes Career-Threatening Injury To Book Olympic Berth
- Day 3 Prelims: Matt Richards Heads 100 Free In 48.01
- Day 3 Prelims: Katie Shanahan Books Lane Four In 400IM
- Day 3 Finals: Matt Richards Takes 100 Free Title In 47.84
- Day 3 Finals: Max Litchfield Goes 4:09.14 For British 400IM Record
- Day 3 Finals: Anna Hopkin Surges Into Paris With 50 Free Gold
- Day 3 Finals: Freya Colbert Books Paris Berth in 400IM; Katie Shanahan Also Inside Cut
- Day 3 Finals: Daniel Jervis Books Trip To Second Olympics
- Day 4 Prelims: Katie Shanahan Through In 200 Back As Honey Osrin Leads The Way
- Day 4 Prelims: Jacob Peters Posts Sole 51 In 100 Fly, James Guy Through
- Day 4 Finals: Duncan Scott Goes 1:55.91 For 200IM Gold Ahead Of Tom Dean; Both Men Inside The QT
- Day 4 Finals: Honey Osrin Leads Home Katie Shanahan In 200 Back; Both Women Inside The Cut
- Day 4 Finals: Joe Litchfield Wins 100 Fly To Claim Olympic Ticket Ahead Of Joshua Gammon & Jacob Peters
- Day 4 Finals: Holly Hibbott Holds Off Amelie Blocksidge To Win 400 Free
- Day 5 Prelims: Ben Proud Posts 21.70 In 50 Free
- Day 5 Prelims: Abbie Wood Posts 2:11 In 200IM
