Magnussen Aims For ‘Harder To Obtain Than Worlds’ Commonwealth Gold

Two-time World Champion James Magnussen has already made it known he will be opting out of the World Championships this year, but the 25-year-old sprinter is more focused than ever on the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Slated to be held on the Gold Coast within his home nation, Magnussen told The Australian recently that an elusive gold medal in the men’s 100m freestyle will be more difficult to achieve at the Commonwealth Games than even at this year’s World Championships in Budapest.

“I think more than the event ­itself, it’s the competition standard that I will have at this Commonwealth Games (that makes it so important),’’ ‘Maggie’ told The Australian. “World championships in the year after the Olympic Games, some people come, some people have the year off, like myself, so I don’t feel like it’s a true test of being back at the top of the sport and I think the Commonwealth Games will really provide that for me.’’

As for 2018, Maggie says he believes that Aussie teammate and 2016 Olympic Champion Kyle Chalmers, the textile best ever Cameron McEvoy, Canadian Santo Condorelli and on-the-rise Scottish dynamo Duncan Scott will be the major players vying for the top prize among Commonwealth nations in the men’s 100m freestyle.

“I think that’s going to be a great spectacle,’’ Magnussen said. “You will definitely see the best of the best. Not swimming at the world championships this year will allow me to focus solely on the Commonwealth Games.’’

After suffering a shoulder injury which put him out of Kazan and on the operating table, Magnussen says, “I was definitely quite dejected after Rio. I didn’t swim at the level I wanted to in Rio because my body didn’t allow me to do that. I had to rush it back and it didn’t feel good for the trials, didn’t feel good for the Olympics, but it feels awesome now.

“From the first stroke back after my break, something was different. I had strength and range of motion in my shoulder that I hadn’t had for two years. Now I feel as good as I did in 2012. I’m doing things in training that I haven’t been able to do for years. I have a bit of a new lease of life.’’

Last year, agent Mark Jones told SwimSwam  that Magnussen was planning a full schedule of racing in 2017, which could potentially include appearances in both the USA and Europe around the Arena sponsored meets in the US, European events such as French Open, Mare Nostrum and Sette Colli as well as selected World Cup events.

 

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G.I.N.A
6 years ago

Isn’t this an old article? Nothing has changed .James is not entered for selection to Budapest .

Last time I checked , 99.9999999% of the country is not entered either . We all have our reasons some because they can’t swim , most are way too slow & others like James , have other priorities & plans .

MrsTarquinBiscuitbarrel
6 years ago

If Magnussen “feels as good as in 2012,” that means a silver and a bronze, as he won in London, right?

If he feels “as good as in 2016,” he wins a relay bronze as he did in Rio. Creditable, certainly, but not… legendary.

tea rex
6 years ago

I do not understand the article’s last 3 paragraphs. It seems to be saying…
Maggie’s body crashed in 2015-2016. Now that he is feeling his best in years, Maggie will not be trying for worlds.

I think the ideal sprinter might have Cameron McEvoy’s mind, James Magnussen’s body, and Anthony Ervin’s technique.

Ex Quaker
Reply to  tea rex
6 years ago

And Chalmers’ competitive instinct.

Uberfan
6 years ago

48.18 won gold at the last Commonwealth games. 47.84 won gold at worlds. Did his mind regress with his freestyle times?

Dee
6 years ago

While I disagree with Magnussen, I’d actually say his logic can’t be faulted.

With 3 per nation, he’ll be up against (likely) McEvoy & Chalmers, Condorelli (if he shows…), Scott… 5 men we could all see hitting 47s… maybe throw in Schooling, Dylan Carter & Le Close… Ben Proud has been 48.5 and is improving at EnergyStandard… You have 9 men all 48mid or better.

I’d argue the men’s sprint free at commies will be a higher standard final than at Panpancs, but Worlds? Nope. I wouldn’t call him delusional though, commies will be a final stacked with 47s men.

commonwombat
Reply to  Dee
6 years ago

Very best case scenario there, Dee,

WILL Condorelli even be there ? He may well think NCAAs are a far higher priority ? Likewise for Schooling, IS is actually going to be a priority and will he even be there ? Ditto Carter

I agree that Scott sub 48 is very plausible, Proud in 48s ditto but will they actually want to be in that shape in April when they’ve got a more important meet in August at home ?

LeClos has some financial backing but with pay your own way now the standard MO with Swimming SA; it may be the case for most of their swimmers as to which out of CG or PP they go for… Read more »

Dee
Reply to  commonwombat
6 years ago

Indeed, that was a best case scenario, but we can’t second guess intentions just now, so all we can really go on is athletes showing up. Most athletes are used to peaking April/August so I don’t see it being an issue. Regarding Schooling, Commonwealth games ‘may’ well take priority, as Singaporean govt list Commonwealths as part of their multi-million dollar reward system. While we overlook it, to many smaller commonwealth nations the event is a pretty big deal – I know gold medal winners in 2014 received some pretty hefty rewards from the Singaporean government.

As you say there are a lot of questions, all will remain unanswered until the racing happens, but when you look at the bare… Read more »

commonwombat
Reply to  Dee
6 years ago

With Schooling, will that necessarily be the case in 2018 ? He’s got a potential double header in August with Asian Games in Jakarta then straight on to Pan Pacs in Tokyo straight after the swimming at AGs although I’m not sure that there may be a slight cross-over with dates. In either case, it could be suggested that either of these meets may be given higher status from SIN sporting officials ?

Also the case that AUS Olympic officials are now seriously pursuing full membership of Asian Games in recent months. That may or may not proceed in time for 2022 but with 2022 CG already gone for a burton; they’re at least being proactive rather than trying to… Read more »

Bo swims
Reply to  commonwombat
6 years ago

Santo seems to hate short course … we’ll see I guess

Billabong
Reply to  commonwombat
6 years ago

This is such a stale debate. commonwealth games rank way higher than Pan Pacs for any commonwealth athlete. They also get way more coverage in their respective countries that swimming WC’s which are a one sport event, and not a multi sport Games. The standard in all races is on average is not as high as Worlds in swimming, but in some races it is pretty similar, which is the point Maggie is trying to make. He will get better visibility, more sponsorship, almost the same kudos, and have more fun at the Commonwealths. Take the athletes at their word. Maggie and Cate Campbell aren’t just making this up.

Dee
Reply to  Dee
6 years ago

Having said all this, there is also an elephant in the room… Only top 2 go to worlds, top 3 go to Commonwealths…Perhaps the bigger message is that Magnusses doesn’t feel he’s likely to even get an individual swim in Budapest…

commonwombat
Reply to  Dee
6 years ago

Now that I completely concur with !!! (double thumbs up)

Bo swims
Reply to  Dee
6 years ago

Think so to… Yuri is improving quick as well… swam 46 SCM at U Sports

commonwombat
6 years ago

Can only echo the comments below ….. and I’m an Aussie (or at least half one) !!

Fine, if he wants to out on a high note this time next year then good on him if he can do so but comparing the competition standard and level of performance that will most probably be needed to make the final at ToyTowns (yes, you may see sub48s on the podium but most likely you could see 49+ making the final) with Worlds is ludicrous to put it politely.

Do we even know whether the Brits will bother prioritizing CG when they have Euros at home in August ? Likewise the Canadians will have Pan Pacs in August and how many of… Read more »

Pvdh
6 years ago

How exactly?

PKWater
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

Read the article… He explains himself.

oli993
6 years ago

Commonwealth more important than Worlds? Yeah, exactly. Time for retirement, Magnus.

Dee
Reply to  oli993
6 years ago

Where did he say it was more important? It’s purely that it’s a ‘home games’.

sven
Reply to  oli993
6 years ago

Not more important, more competitive. He could be right, he could be wrong. We’ll see.

Billabong
Reply to  oli993
6 years ago

There is talk of the USA being offered associate membership of the commonwealth. Join up and we won’t have to have this tiresome debate. All former colonies are welcome, and even Mozambique(former Portuguese colony) joined for the trade benefits.

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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