McEvoy calls on World Aquatics to make 25m sprint an official event | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- Cameron McEvoy wants World Aquatics to officially recognize the 25m freestyle sprint.
- McEvoy achieved a blistering exhibition time of 9.36 seconds in the 25m sprint in Melbourne.
- He argues the short sprint adds unique excitement and novelty to swimming competitions.
- The current shortest officially recognized freestyle event is the 50m.
- Swimming Australia acknowledges the success of the 25m exhibition and plans future inclusion.
Australian swimming star Cameron McEvoy, the current Olympic and world champion in the 50m freestyle, has strongly urged World Aquatics to officially recognize the 25m freestyle sprint as a sanctioned event. This plea comes after McEvoy clocked an astonishing, though exhibition-only, time of 9.36 seconds at the Australian short-course championships in Melbourne on Thursday evening. McEvoy argues that the 25m event adds significant excitement, novelty, and speed to the sport, which he believes the global fanbase would enthusiastically support, pointing to the massive crowd buzz his swim generated. He specifically wants a ratified 25m world record to establish a new standard for swimmers to chase. Currently, the 50m freestyle is the shortest officially recognized freestyle distance. Swimming Australia chief Rob Woodhouse supported McEvoy's sentiment, confirming the 25m exhibition was "enormously successful" and is likely headed for inclusion in future national events due to the positive crowd reaction.
