2026 CHINA SWIMMING OPEN
- March 19th – March 22nd
- Longgang Universiade Center Natatorium, Shenzhen, China
- LCM (50m)
- Psych Sheets
- Results
- Livestream
- Day 1 Finals Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Recap
With the likes of American Jack Alexy and Australians Cameron McEvoy and Kyle Chalmers in the water for tonight’s 50m freestyle event at the 2026 China Swimming Open, we knew the competitors would bring the heat. But we had no idea what 31-year-old Olympic champion McEvoy had up his sleeve by the time the giant wave hit the wall.
McEvoy ripped a monster World Record of 20.88 to claim the gold by nearly a body length, virtually unheard of when it comes to the high-octane 50m where races are typically determined by hundredths.
Alexy settled for silver well over half a second back in 21.57 while Chalmers delivered a mark of 22.01 as tonight’s bronze medalist.
McEvoy’s outing shaved .03 off the longstanding World Record of 20.91 that retired Brazilian Olympian Cesar Cielo put on the books during the supersuited era that was 2009.
McEvoy entered this competition ranked 4th among all-time men’s 50m free performers, owning a lifetime best of 21.06 from the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka.
It took him a time of 21.25 to get the edge over British ace Ben Proud‘s time of 21.30 to claim gold in Paris, while last year in Singapore, McEvoy delivered an even faster swim of 21.14 to top the World Championships podium.
Post-race, McEvoy appeared as surprised as anyone that he cracked the World Record, saying he was just hoping to clear the 22-second threshold.
The unique training methodology of McEvoy has been well-documented on SwimSwam, where the speedster focuses most of his time in the gym rather than churning out laps in the pool.
Who’s doing the timing system in china ?
I know it’s not the usual omega
Good swim from Alexy
https://www.chinaaquatics.org.cn/video/yy/2026/0320/692164.html
Very high quality video, no commentator，from China aquatics official website
But does his hectic junior training from 6 years old to probably 24 training at Miami (gruelling distance training, squad of Grant Hackett) give him a base and feel for the water he longer needs to train for
Great. The previous record was sus
Dear Cameron.
(I know you read SwimSwam commentary.)
Please write a facken text book. It will stan.
Thanks in advance.
CNTEITR.
Cameron, did you downvote me?
He has shared his training for everyone to read and watch and emulate. Swimswam wrote about it.
That’s lovely! I watched! Now a book, please.
I like books.
I like books a lot.
brett hawke in shambles rn
So refreshing to see 30+ year olds still killing it in sport!