Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Ben Proud wins maiden Olympic medal with silver in 50m freestyle, Cameron McEvoy claims gold
ByOli Gent
Updated 02/08/2024 at 22:38 GMT+1
GB's Ben Proud won silver, but was beaten by Australian Cameron McEvoy in the men's 50m freestyle final at Paris 2024. Both beat Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Caeleb Dressel and silver medallist and French home favourite Florent Manaudou, who took the bronze medal. McEvoy touched the wall first in 21.25 seconds, with Proud in second clocking 21.30, while Manaudou recorded a time of 21.56.
Watch enthralling finish as McEvoy edges out Team GB's Proud in 50m freestyle
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ben Proud was forced to settle for silver in the men's 50m freestyle final at Paris 2024 as he was beaten by Australian Cameron McEvoy.
Proud, who arrived at the Olympics as the 2022 world and Commonwealth champion, had a point to prove after finishing fifth in Tokyo.
The Briton, who qualified for the Games having won the event at the British Championships, started well but was beaten by a final surge to the wall by McEvoy, the current world champion, in lane five.
Proud and McEvoy reached the final having tied with each other in the semi-finals, both clocking 21.38 seconds, but Proud was handed the heavily-desired lane four via a random draw.
Jordan Crooks of the Cayman Islands started the fastest off the blocks, but faded quickly.
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France's Florent Manaudou, who won gold at London 2012, took bronze, much to the raucous La Defense Arena's delight.
Proud clocked 21.30 seconds, behind McEvoy's 21.25, while Manaudou was third to touch at 21.56, just edging out the Canadian Josh Liendo, who recorded 21.58.
Olympic champion Caeleb Dressel, the American, finished sixth on 21.61 seconds.
"It's funny, because I know me and Cam tied last night, but being put in lane four, it does make you feel like you're protecting that gold," Proud told the BBC afterwards.
"I just kept reminding myself that I hadn't done anything yet. It was going to be a great race, and it was. To be second behind Cam, who's been on full form these past two years.
"If you'd told me I'd be sharing the podium with him two years ago, I wouldn't have believed you. He's done phenomenal things.
"He's changed the way I do my training to some extent, but the highlight is sharing the podium with him [and Manaudou]."
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Video credit: TNT Sports
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