Ben Proud: “You Can’t Back Off At The Olympics”

2016 BRITISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS/OLYMPIC TRIALS

21-year-old Ben Proud cracked open a new British Record in the men’s 50m freestyle, albeit during this morning’s prelim session. 21.65 is what the Plymouth Leander swimmer threw down in his morning swim to overtake his previous record of 21.73 he registered earlier this year.

In finals, Proud still notched a British Olympic-qualifying time, ultimately finishing in 21.73, but, in his interview, recognizes the fact he’ll need to step it up and not back between prelims and finals when the world’s most coveted medals are at stake.

Video courtesy of British Swimming.

As originally reported by Loretta Race:

MEN’S 50 FREESTYLE – FINAL

  • British Record – Ben Proud, 21.65, 2016
  • 1st Place OLY Standard – 21.84
  • 2% Consideration – 21.94
  • The Podium –
    • Ben Proud, 21.73 (*Automatic*)
    • Thomas Fannon, 22.24
    • Andrew Weatheritt, 22.38

After cranking out a new British Record in the prelims, touching in 21.65 to maintain his world ranking as 5th-fastest in the world this season. The 21-year-old Plymouth Leander swimmer finished just behind that mark tonight, touching in 21.73 to still register his ride to Rio. Ironically, 21.73 is where the British National Record had stood from Proud’s BUCS’ swim from earlier this year, so had he not already broken it this morning, he would have tied the then-national record in this splash n’ dash event.

Another Plymouth Leander swimmer made it to the podium in the form of Thomas Fannon and his time of 22.24. That wiped .3 of a second off of his morning outing of 22.54 to move up a spot in the results. Loughborough’s Andrew Weatheritt claimed the bronze in 22.38, a .08 of a second improvement on his morning swim.

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About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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