Has Cameron McEvoy started a sprint revolution?
After using his unique philosophy to become the world’s fastest man ever in the 50 freestyle, McEvoy has a training partner who is also making history in the pool.
Nadine Loof, a 40-year-old who competes for the Barbarian Masters Swim Team out of Queensland, obliterated the women’s 40-44 world record in the 50 freestyle (SCM) at the end of April at the 2026 MSA National Championships in Brisbane.
McEvoy also represented the Barbarian Masters at the meet, helping the men’s 4×50 free relay squad to a new world record in the 120-159 age category.
Loof has been following a similar training program to McEvoy, reportedly doing something in the range of 2-3 swims per week, all around 700 meters long, along with 3-4 gym workouts, mobility and calisthenics.
Loof first clocked 25.05 in the individual 50 free, breaking the previous Masters world record for 40-44 women of 26.02 set by American Erika Braun in 2014.
Loof followed up by throwing down a blistering time of 24.61 leading off the Barbarians’ 4×50 free relay, resetting the Masters world record and becoming the first woman over 40 to break 25 seconds in SCM Masters competition.
Loof’s swim was also under the women’s 35-39 world record of 25.10, set by Dara Torres in 2006.
Loof also broke Braun’s women’s 40-44 world record in the 100 free, clocking 56.12 to erase Braun’s mark of 57.08 from 2014.
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In 2024, Loof broke Torres’ world record in the women’s 35-39 LCM 50 free in 25.58, lowering Torres’ mark of 25.98 from 2006.
Coming into the meet, Loof’s lifetime best in the SCM 50 free stood at 25.55, set in 2024.
Loof previously trained out of the Chandler Swim Club in the early 2000s and was a medalist in the 50 free at the 2002 Australia Age Group Championships.
First, Cam put in the miles for years..his body is different now, and at his age, and to swim for 20 seconds, he needs power, and a perfect strroke. His training is not revolutionary, many masters swimmers train similarly..they don’t have his talent. And no one knows yet how his anaerobic system will handle a 47 sec swiim.. but with his mega miles for years, it will be interesting. As far as this other sprinter, was she a national level swimmer as a kid? If so, then reasonable..if not, humm no drug testing in Masters.
I’m pretty sure she swam under rollason at chandler in the mills/henry time range. So she’s probably pretty talented.
“Well, yeah, whatever, but what could she do for 100m is the real question.”
The article says that she also set the Masters record in the 100 SCM Free with a 56.12
I know.
My humour is weird. I guess.
can some one explain to me if they have drug testing for these records?
no they do not.
How do we know they are not using?
What an amazing swim for Loof! That is a fantastic drop and truly an incredible swim!
The article mentions that Loof is the first women over 40 to break 25 seconds in the 50 FR. Dara Torres swam a 24.07 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics at the age of 41.
Good catch, thanks. Updated to say “in Masters competition”
What is required for a time to count as a Masters World Record as there are other swimmers in addition to Dara Torres that have swum times faster than the 35-39 and 40-44 times in FINA meets
I think it needs to be an official master’s meet – not FINA/AQUA
Or does the swimmer just need to be registered with Masters?
No it has to be a masters sanctioned meet. That’s why in the USA you can sometimes see the American record faster than the World record. American records can be at any USA swimming meet, but if that meet is not sanctioned with Masters, it does not count.
you need to be affiliated as a masters swimmer in your country and the performance must be at a masters sanctioned competition. they have they’re whole international circuit and all.
It may mean first person over 40 to break 25 seconds for SCM only.