50 m freestyle, men

What to remember

On March 20, 2026, at the China Open in Shenzhen, Australia's Cameron McEvoy swam the 50 m freestyle in 20.88 s, in a long course pool.

His route there was not a straight line. Born on the Gold Coast, he first made his name in the 100 m freestyle: world silver medalist over that distance in 2015, he broke the Australian record at the 2016 national championships with what was then the fastest time ever swum in a textile suit, before finishing seventh at the 2016 Olympics. After the 2020 Olympics he overhauled his training to focus on the 50 m.

He went on to win the Olympic 50 m freestyle title, the first Olympic medal for an Australian man in the event. He competed at the 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024 Games. The event itself has been on the World Championships program since 1986 and at the Olympics since 1988.