Paris gold medallist Cameron McEvoy reveals interest in new Olympic event
BRISBANE: Cameron McEvoy claimed one gold medal at the Paris Olympics. At the Los Angeles Olympics in three years' time, he could be hunting a pair of gold medals.
The Queenslander stormed to victory in the 50m butterfly as the Australian swimming championships kicked off on Easter Monday, clocking 23.18 seconds in a swim too fast for Isaac Cooper (23.63) and Matthew Temple (23.76).
McEvoy was then asked what he thought of the recent announcement that six 50m events, including the men's and women's 50m butterfly, would be introduced to the Olympic program in Los Angeles in 2028.
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That question, asked by three-time Olympic medallist Matt Welsh on the Nine broadcast at Brisbane Aquatic Centre, prompted McEvoy to reveal his interest in vying for butterfly gold in LA.
"I think it's great [six 50m events being added]. Obviously, I'm all for it," said McEvoy, who in Paris conquered the 50m freestyle to win his maiden Olympic gold medal.
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Cameron McEvoy pictured after winning the 50m freestyle at the Australian swimming championships. Getty
"I'm going to seek to add the 50m fly to the [Olympic] program.
"I think we're going to have a wave of people coming out for the 50s, and it's going to be pretty competitive."
The opening night of the national championships also featured a battle between Mollie O'Callaghan and Meg Harris.
Some nine months after teaming up to win Olympic gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay, O'Callaghan and Harris put their mateship to one side in a battle for gold in the 100m freestyle.
O'Callaghan came up trumps, surging late to take victory in 53.12 seconds.
Her personal best is 52.08, recorded en route to winning gold at the 2023 world championships in Fukuoka, Japan.
Harris posted 54.03 on Monday night and Alex Perkins, who won a medley relay silver in Paris, took third in 54.21.
Mollie O'Callaghan (no cap) and Meg Harris pictured after the 100m freestyle final. Getty
Shayna Jack, who combined with O'Callaghan, Harris and the now-retired Emma McKeon to win gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay in France, finished fifth in 54.56.
The Brisbane product has only just returned to the pool after her time in the jungle on the TV show I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!.
"To come and do this time, it's good to know that I'm on the right track back," O'Callaghan said on the Nine coverage.
"But at the same time, I still have that determination to fully get back into training and to be better than I was before."
Night one was also lit up by Italian champion Thomas Ceccon, who captured gold in Paris in the 100m backstroke.
Ceccon is currently training under renowned coach Dean Boxall at St Peters Western in Brisbane.
On Easter Monday, he cruised to victory in the 200m backstroke in 1:55.71.
"It's completely different training here, because at home I train alone or maximum with three people … basically all my career," Ceccon said.
"So I enjoy the group here, like with 20 people. It is a family.
"And on the weekend, I can take the car for a surf at the Gold Coast."