Rio Olympics 2016: Cameron McEvoy on mission to join swimming greats

AUSTRALIAN swimming star Cameron McEvoy has declared his intention to join legends Mark Spitz and Pieter van den Hoogenband by winning the sprint double in Rio.

Cameron McEvoy reacts after winning the men's 200m Freestyle final at the Australian Short Course Swimming Championships in Sydney, Friday, Nov. 27, 2015. (AAP Image/Craig Golding) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

CAMERON McEvoy has declared his intention to have a serious crack at both 100m and 200m Olympic titles in Rio.

Previously considered a specialist in the 100m, where he is the Pan Pac champion and world championship silver medallist, the 21-year-old has been quietly adding more endurance training to his program.

Only three male swimmers have won the 100-200m freestyle double, starting with Australia’s Michael Wenden in Mexico in 1968. American super swimmer Mark Spitz created history four years later, winning a record seven gold medals, including the 100-200m double. The last person to achieve the feat was Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband, who upset Ian Thorpe in the 200m in Sydney in 2000.

When asked if the 100m was McEvoy’s priority leading into the Olympic trials, his coach Richard Scarce delivered an emphatic “no”.

“They are pretty much the same,’’ he said. “It is no good messing around with the 200m, there is no point doing the work if you are not serious about it.

“We’ll see how the trials go, if it doesn’t take away from the 100m. He’s confident he can do it.’’

Scarce also believes McEvoy has room for major improvement in the 50m and has not ruled out steeling his charge for a shot at the treble.

He said McEvoy was now racing the 50m without taking a breath and was a different sprinter than when the pair joined forces three years ago.

“He sees it as a fun event, but I believe his PB can come down quite a lot,’’ he said.

The open races of the Queensland titles ended at Chanlder last night, with routine victories to McEvoy and Cate Campbell in the 50m freestyle.

McEvoy finished in 22.33 to end the meeting with the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle titles.

As expected, Cate Campbell added the 50m title to her 100m triumph. With her sister and main rival Bronte sidelined with a hip injury, Campbell cruised to victory in 24.12sec.

The Olympic trials are in Adelaide from April 4.

Originally published as Rio Olympics 2016: Cameron McEvoy on mission to join swimming greats