There are less than a 100 days until the start of the 2024 Olympic Games. There are still plenty of big meets between now and then, including Olympic Trials for the U.S, Australia, Canada, and France. From the season opening World Cup circuit, the 2024 World Championships, and meets like the Australian Open and Berlin Open, athletes have been putting up fast times all season.
And as the spring rolls on and many countries have already held Olympic Trials or closed their qualification period, it’s beginning to become clearer who is going to be a medal threat in Paris and the times that it may take to get into the final, much less onto the podium.
Heading into the next round of senior level international and domestic meets, here is the state of affairs for the men’s events–the top five so far this season so far (September 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024) as well as what the medal table would look like based on this season so far.
Note: There are Russian swimmers included in the top five rankings but none are included in the medal tables. There are two events on the men’s side this affects: the 100 backstroke and 400 IM.
Men’s 50 Freestyle
2023-2024 LCM Men 50 Free
MCEVOY
21.13
2 | Benjamin PROUD | GBR | 21.25 | 04/06 |
3 | Vladyslav BUKHOV | UKR | 21.38 | 02/16 |
4 | Caeleb DRESSEL | USA | 21.41 | 06/22 |
5 | Josh LIENDO | CAN | 21.48 | 05/18 |
Men’s 100 Freestyle
2023-2024 LCM Men 100 Free
PAN
WR 46.40
2 | David POPOVICI | ROU | 46.88 | 06/19 |
3 | Jack ALEXY | USA | 47.08 | 06/18 |
4 | Chris GUILIANO | USA | 47.25 | 06/18 |
5 | Maxime GROUSSET | FRA | 47.33 | 06/18 |
Men’s 200 Freestyle
2023-2024 LCM Men 200 Free
POPOVICI
1:43.13
2 | Lukas MÄRTENS | GER | 1:44.14 | 04/27 |
3 | Sunwoo HWANG | KOR | 1:44.40 | 09/27 |
4 | Matthew RICHARDS | GBR | 1:44.69 | 04/07 |
5 | Duncan SCOTT | GBR | 1:44.75 | 04/07 |
Men’s 400 Freestyle
2023-2024 LCM Men 400 Free
MÄRTENS
3:40.33
2 | Elijah WINNINGTON | AUS | 3:41.41 | 04/17 |
3 | Samuel SHORT | AUS | 3:41.64 | 04/17 |
4 | Woomin KIM | KOR | 3:42.42 | 06/01 |
5 | Guilherme COSTA | BRA | 3:42.76 | 07/27 |
Men’s 800 Freestyle
2023-2024 LCM Men 800 Free
WIFFEN
7:38.19
2 | Bobby FINKE | USA | 7:38.75 | 07/30 |
3 | Gregorio PALTRINIERI | ITA | 7:39.38 | 07/30 |
4 | Ahmed JAOUADI | TUN | 7:42.07 | 07/29 |
5 | Elijah WINNINGTON | AUS | 7:42.86 | 07/29 |
Men’s 1500 Freestyle
2023-2024 LCM Men 1500 Free
FINKE
WR 14:30.67
2 | Daniel Wiffen | IRL | 14:34.07 | 02/18 |
3 | Gregorio PALTRINIERI | ITA | 14:34.55 | 08/04 |
4 | David BETLEHEM | HUN | 14:40.91 | 08/04 |
5 | Kuzey Tuncelli | TUR | WJR 14:41.22 | 08/04 |
Men’s 100 Backstroke
2023-2024 LCM Men 100 Back
CECCON
52.00
2 | Jiayu XU | CHN | 52.02 | 07/28 |
3 | Miron Lifinstsev | RUS | 52.08 WJR | 07/28 |
4 | Ryan MURPHY | USA | 52.22 | 06/17 |
5 | Apostolos CHRISTOU | GRE | 52.23 | 06/23 |
Men’s 200 Backstroke
2023-2024 LCM Men 200 Back
KOS
1:54.26
2 | Ryan MURPHY | USA | 1:54.33 | 06/20 |
3 | Hugo GONZALEZ | ESP | 1:54.51 | 06/20 |
4 | Keaton JONES | USA | 1:54.61 | 06/20 |
5 | Jack AIKINS | USA | 1:54.78 | 06/20 |
Men’s 100 Breaststroke
2023-2024 LCM Men 100 Breast
QIN
57.69
2 | Adam PEATY | GBR | 57.94 | 04/02 |
3 | Nic FINK | USA | 58.57 | 02/12 |
4 | Arno KAMMINGA | NED | 58.68 | 10/20 |
5 | Evgenii Somov | RUS | 58.72 | 05/16 |
Men’s 200 Breaststroke
2023-2024 LCM Men 200 Breast
MARCHAND
2:05.85
2 | Matthew FALLON | USA | 2:06.54 | 06/19 |
3 | Zac Stubblety-Cook | AUS | 2:06.79 | 07/31 |
4 | Ippei WATANABE | JPN | 2:06.94 | 03/21 |
5 | Haiyang QIN | CHN | 2:07.03 | 09/28 |
Men’s 100 Butterfly
2023-2024 LCM Men 100 Fly
MILAK
49.90
2 | Josh Liendo | CAN | 49.99 | 08/03 |
3 | Noe PONTI | SUI | 50.16 | 04/06 |
4 | Caeleb DRESSEL | USA | 50.19 | 06/22 |
5 | Matthew William Temple | AUS | 50.25 | 12/03 |
Men’s 200 Butterfly
2023-2024 LCM Men 200 Fly
MARCHAND
1:51.21
2 | Kristof MILAK | HUN | 1:51.75 | 07/31 |
3 | Ilya KHARUN | CAN | 1:52.80 | 07/31 |
4 | Tomoru HONDA | JPN | 1:53.15 | 09/29 |
5 | Krzysztof CHMIELEWSKI | POL | 1:53.90 | 07/31 |
Men’s 200 IM
2023-2024 LCM Men 200 IM
MARCHAND
1:54.06
2 | Shun Wang | CHN | 1:54.62 | 09/24 |
3 | Duncan SCOTT | GBR | 1:55.31 | 08/02 |
4 | Carson FOSTER | USA | 1:55.65 | 06/21 |
5 | Shaine CASAS | USA | 1:55.83 | 06/21 |
Men’s 400 IM
2023-2024 LCM Men 400 IM
MARCHAND
4:02.95
2 | Carson FOSTER | USA | 4:07.64 | 06/17 |
3 | TOMOYUKI MATSUSHITA | JPN | 4:08.62 | 07/28 |
4 | Lewis CLAREBURT | NZL | 4:08.71 | 05/11 |
5 | Max LITCHFIELD | GBR | 4:08.85 | 07/28 |
Medal Table
Note: Organized by number of gold, then silver, then bronze. Caeleb Dressel (USA) and Hubert Kos (Hungary) are tied for third in the 100 butterfly world rankings, which counts as a “bronze” for both for the purposes of this table.
More than anything, this medal table serves as a reflection of the training cycles of each country and which have already held their Olympic Trials. The top three countries on this table–China, Japan, and Germany–have all closed their Olympic qualification periods.
China and Germany’s qualification windows both closed at the end of this month with their national championships. However all of China’s four top times of the season come from earlier in the year; the most recent was Pan Zhanle‘s 100 freestyle world record in Doha. Qin Haiyang (100 breast), Xu Jiayu (100 back), and Wang Shun (200 IM) all swam their top times in the fall at either the Asian Games or in Qin’s case, on the World Cup circuit. September’s Asian Games were a home meet for China and some swimmers prioritized that meet in 2023.
On the flip side, Germany’s top times, courtesy of Lukas Märtens, all came from the 22-year-old’s performances at German Championships at the end of April.
Similarly, the British men’s rankings in the top five all come from their Olympic Trials. There, Ben Proud, Duncan Scott, Matt Richards, Tom Dean, Adam Peaty, Oliver Morgan, and Max Litchfield all swam top five times in the world, with Litchfield taking the top time in the men’s 400 IM. Great Britain’s men are tied in the medal table with the Australian men, who haven’t had their Trials yet.
Irish swimmers have one last opportunity to earn qualifying times at the end of May at the Irish Open Championships. Like Germany, their two “golds” are thanks to one swimmer, in their case Daniel Wiffen, who swept the distance events at the 2024 World Championships.
Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
China | 4 | 2 | 6 | |
Japan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Germany | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
Ireland | 2 | 2 | ||
Australia | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
Great Britain | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
Switzerland | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Spain | 1 | 1 | ||
Italy | 3 | 2 | 5 | |
United States | 1 | 4 | 5 | |
South Korea | 1 | 1 | ||
Hungary | 1 | 1 | ||
New Zealand | 1 | 1 | ||
Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) | 1 | 1 |
15 countries are represented on this hypothetical medal table. That is only one less than the 16 countries who medalled in the individual men’s events at the 2020 Olympics. The countries on this list that did not medal in Tokyo are Ireland, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), and New Zealand. At the 2020 Games, the U.S that led the men’s individual events medal table with six gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.
From a total medals lens, China still leads the table with six. But four countries–Australia, Great Britain, Italy, and the U.S–all follow with five entries in the top three of the world rankings. Neither Australia nor the U.S have held their Olympic Trials yet.
Stray thoughts:
– Past few US Olympic trials have seen a big name veteran missing out: Lochte, Adrian, coughlin, etc. I wonder who’s going to miss out this year. Candidates: Kalisz, Andrew, Manuel, Smoliga, Murphy, Fink, Dressel are all candidates.
– thinking back, the London 2012 Olympics were stellar. We had a surprising high number of WRs and/or peak performances by individuals who were not medalists the previous year: Gyurta, Van Der Burgh, Agnel, Schmitt, Adrian, Ledecky, LeClos. I remember thinking that almost half the races were won in somewhat of an upset vs expectations coming into the meet. I don’t think any international meet since (in my opinion) has met that caliber of suprise + top level times… Read more »
Those candidates with Murphy, Fink and Dressel is pretty much gonna be on the team especially Dressel in the 100 fly with relay. I have my doubt on the other four but Manuel seems to be doing well to qualify for the relay and after last year I’m not convinced about Andrew at all.
As a Canadian fan, disappointing to see Finlay Knox 2IM gold medal time from Qatar already dropped outside the top 5. Any other 2024 “World Champions” outside the top 5 right now?
Dong (M200BR), Ribeiro (M100FL), Stephens (W200FL) and Colbert (W400IM) are all not ranked top five.
By the time USA/Australia/Canada/France trials are completed, most Doha winning times will be outside top 5, the exceptions are probably:
Men’s 1500 free, 200 fly
Women’s 50 fr, 200 br, 200 IM
Oh, and also Pan’s 100 free WR but that’s relay lead off. His individual 100 free winning time 47.53 will be outside top 5.
Marrit Steenbergen’s 52.26 in 100 free was also pretty impressive, can’t imagine 5 girls beating this time before Olympics
Haughey, MOC, Jack, Harris, McKeon, Douglas, and Marritt herself during pre-Olympics race.
Haughey already is ahead, MOC certainly will also be faster. But I doubt about others…
So just needs 4 girls then since Haughey is already ahead
Marrit has no reason to be that fast again until Paris.
I mean, there’s also no reason for Kaylee and ZSC to break WRs in small meets and they did.
In regard to the W 200 BR, let’s wait for the results from a fully tapered Lilly King.
The winning time in Doha was 2:19.8. You think Lilly King is dropping a 1.2 second PB before Paris? And that two other swimmers will join her?
You missed by a decimal, Sub13. Lilly’s PB is 2:19.92 from Tokyo Games. Thus, Lilly would need a PB by 0.12, not 1.2, to reach the Doha winning time.
Kim time only if Costa and Hafnaoui drop something, if not them, no one can
Some of the times are still in the top 5 but have been absolutely destroyed. W400IM is 6 seconds slower than the season top time. W200 back is 2 seconds slower.
Where’s leon marchand?
Right now possibly training with uncle Bob.
I find it interesting how specific the ability is to perform at the top level at any given distance in men’s freestyle. There is no overlap between anybody in the top 5 between the 50, 100, 200, and 400. People are really having to home in on one event to remain competitive.
This is just a very recent phenomenon. Also, you have to wait until trials and Olympics to say for certain that there’s no overlap.
Van Den Hoogenband used to be top 3 in 50/100/200
Thorpe used to be top 3 in 100/200/400
Hackett used to be top 3 in 200/400/800/1500. Ditto Sun Yang and Park Tae Hwan.
I think Popovici will be top 5 in 100/200. Ditto Matt Richards. Jack Alexy could be top 5 in 50/100.
And Dressel should be also after trials
Aside from Martens who is #1 in the 200 and 400?
And Elijah Winnington who is #2 in 400 and 800
its a fun report though it will change dramatically after the Aussie and us trials . What d we do with China ???
US Trial = most definitely
AUS = much less so; those who are likely to contend have already identified themselves.
But the Australians are still going to shake up the rankings. W50-800 free should all be rocked by trials, Kaylee won’t announce herself in any event but might improve her times, M50-800 free could all have better times recorded and move the rankings, M/W100 fly etc.
Corrections:-
Xu Jiayu had clocked 51.91 in 100m backstroke at last september asian games in Mixed 4x100m medley relays on 27/09/2023
Mixed relays times even on the first leg don’t count as records
This is not the list of records
This is the list of fastest times this season.
Yes but the reasoning why they don’t count as fastest times is the same
No, Swimswam is not the World Aquatics or USA SWIMMING. Swimswam is not official body of swimming.
Swimming fans and Swimming sites acknowledged Lisbeth Trickett’s 52.99 to lead off Australia mixed free relay in 2007 Duel in the Pool swimming against Phelps as the first time a female swimmer swam under 53. even Wikipedia acknowledged it.
It was however not recognized by FINA or Swimming Australia as a record.
Xu Jiayu 51.91 was not DSQ, so it was a legit swim.
Well, women’s times when swimming against men you can certainly acknowledge as legitimate results but not vice versa. Swimming in clear water has obvious advantages)
You certainly can ignore Xu Jiayu 51.91 and pretend it doesn’t exist.
But some of us can also acknowledge Xu Jiayu 51.91 exists and we won’t be surprised if he swims sub 52 in Paris.
Please be informed that stated in the article 52.05 was the time xu clocked came from medley relay. He clocked 52.23 in the 100m backstroe individual event at asian game. In mixed medley relays he clocked even faster 51.91secs.
400free and 1500fr WRs are going down this year. 50fr, 200fr and 800fr will remain. Of these 200fr most likely to fall if Popovici finds his form. 200 back? Probably not. Any other super suited WRs remaining? Relays?
4×100 and 4×200 relays still remain. I think it is quite likely that 4×200 will be broken, China, GBR, USA, and South Korea will all be fighting for podium spots.
And AUS. Australia’s relay last year was only 0.3 off Chinese record and 0.4 of Korean record, and have gained a 1:44 flat start since then
List is not without errors to say the least.
Just look at your report on the two Israeli men Paris qualifiers in the 50 free. And many more.
What are you talking about? There are no Israelis on any of the lists
When you take a closer look at the larger list (over the first 5) you may find many errors (Meiron Cheruti 21.89 from the April Eindhoven meeting to name one – don’t worry there are many like these).
Basically, the SwimSwam ranking is not up-to-date.
Meiron Cheruti 21.89 is ranked 24th this season.
NOWHERE close to top 5.
If you say many like this, bring it and I will refute it easily.
Can you read? Shoot you don’t even need to know how to read, can you see numbers and tell which ones are bigger or smaller?
Huh?
What are you talking about?
No Israeli man is anywhere near top 5 in 50 free, or any other events.
And what exactly are ‘many more’s?
Care to elaborate?
When you take a closer look at the larger list (over the first 5) you may find many errors (Meiron Cheruti 21.89 from the April Eindhoven meeting to name one – don’t worry there are many like these).
Basically, the SwimSwam ranking is not up-to-date.
Meiron Cheruti 21.89 is ranked 24th this season.
NOWHERE close to top 5.
If you say many like this, bring it and I will refute it easily.
The article is about top 5 swims in each event. They aren’t going through and verifying all times. They are just going off of a database. Relax weirdo