2026 Commonwealth Games
- July 24 – 29, 2026 (pool swimming)
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Tollcross International Swimming Centre
- LCM (50m)
- Meet Central
- Entries
- Preview Index
- How to Watch
- Live Results
- Live Recaps
Cameron McEvoy swam a 50 freestyle without taking a breath for the first time at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, throwing down the fourth-fastest swim in history with a Commonwealth Games record of 20.97.
He lowered the previous mark for 21.30, set by England’s Ben Proud in 2018, by 0.33 seconds. Proud won three title in a row between 2014 and 2022, with McEvoy winning silver in 2014 and bronze in 2018.
McEvoy was clearly out in front by halfway, and looked imperious as Flynn Southam, Jamie Jack, and Josh Liendo trailed in his wake. He touched just 0.09 seconds off his world record of 20.88 from the China Open, posting his second-fastest performance ever.
He now has three swims in the all-time top ten, matching Caeleb Dressel. He becomes the first man in history to break 21 seconds in the event on more than one occasion.
Men’s LCM 50 Free, All-Time Top 10 Performances
- Cameron McEvoy (AUS), 2026 China Open – 20.88
- Cesar Cielo (BRA), 2009 Brazilian Championships – 20.91
- Fred Bousquet (FRA), 2009 French Championships – 20.94
- Cameron McEvoy (AUS), 2026 Commonwealth Games – 20.97
- Cesar Cielo (BRA), 2009 Brazilian Championships – 21.02
- Caeleb Dressel (USA), 2020(1) U.S. Olympic Trials/Caeleb Dressel (USA), 2019 World Championships – 21.04
- –
- Egor Kornev (RUS), 2026 Russian Championships/Cameron McEvoy (AUS), 2023 World Championships – 21.06
- –
- Caeleb Dressel (USA), 2020(1) Olympic Games – 21.07
McEvoy topped the podium tonight to win his fourth major title in four years. He won world titles in 2023 and 2025, Olympic gold in 2024, and finally gets his individual Commonwealth title, 12 years after he won silver in this event in this pool, in a time of 22.00.
Flynn Southam set a huge lifetime best of 21.44 behind McEvoy for silver, announcing himself as a serious contender in the sprint freestyles now with times of 21.44/47.09 after his men’s 4×100 free leadoff leg on Friday. Jamie Jack made it an Australian 1-2-3 as he won bronze in 21.47, the second-fastest time of his career.
Josh Liendo was fourth in 21.55, just off his best of 21.48, as he doubled up after winning the 100 fly in a Games record of 50.42.
Edited
Really hope Cam will add the 100 free training and give it a really solid go at making it work without it affecting his 50.
The relay is looking really good, but it is missing that 4th 46-47 low leg. If he could get down to around that time on a flying split, it could very well be the difference between gold and silver/bronze.
There’s a reason why he isn’t attempting the 100.
He swims a couple 100 a few days a week. And of those swims, they’re mostly 15-25m swims. A 100 LCM taps into a different energy system. My guess he knows it wouldn’t be smart due to his training and that’s why we won’t see him swim a 100.
Yeah, it might be hopeful thinking on my part.
That said, he did say the relay in LA is on his mind. I think he could afford to give it a go next year and see if it affects his 50.
Was the 21.6 in semis an experiment? Wonder if he was basically seeing how much he could coast in a semifinal and how much it helps the next day.
Missing a 21.02 prelim from Cielo from the same meet as his 20.91.
Thanks!
dominating this event