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It’s time Cameron McEvoy, in tandem with the Campbell sisters Cate and Bronte, won Olympic 100 metres freestyle gold for Australia.
The trio has already won selection, returning encouraging times during the trials.
In 27 Olympic Games of the modern era, only Jon Hendricks (1956) and Mike Wenden (1968) have been successful for Australians in the men’s, and only swim legend Dawn Fraser (1956, 1960, and 1964) and Jodie Henry (2004) in the women’s 100 metres.
Just six Australian gold medals in 54 attempts, half of them from ‘Our Dawn’.
In other Olympics, Australia had a gold rush in 1956, winning all seven freestyle events – Hendricks and Fraser in the 100s, Murray Rose and Lorraine Crapp in the 400s, Rose in the 1500, and the two relays.
Or the latest lowlight, in London 2012, when the women’s freestyle relay won Australia’s only gold in 34 events.
Step up to the plate McEvoy (21), and a couple of very talented Campbell sisters – Cate (23), and Bronte (21).
McEvoy, a physics student who wants to join NASA, went into orbit this week with a career-best 47.04 that also broke Eamon Sullivan’s Commonwealth and Australian record, was the third fastest 100 of all time, and the fastest in a textile swimsuit.
He has Brazilian Cesar Cielo’s world record of 46.91 in his sights, set in 2009 at the height of the polyurethane buoyant swimsuits era that ended in 2010.
The multiple world records set in that era should be set aside with an asterisk, which would mean McEvoy’s time in Adelaide this week would be a genuine new world mark.
With 148 days to the Rio opening ceremony, McEvoy is well and truly on track for long overdue Australian 100 freestyle gold.
It will be much more difficult for the Campbell sisters.
They too have time up their sleeve for Cate’s wrist injury to improve, and Bronte’s shoulder to heal.
Cate stopped the clock in the 100-metre selection trial final with a world-class 52.38, just shy of her career best 52.33, while world champion Bronte was right there in 52.58.
These two are among Australia’s most endearing, yet highly competitive sportswomen, as they keep pushing each other’s envelopes.
They are Australia’s only sisters to compete in the same Olympic event, and both will be centre stage in Australia’s genuine bid to retain freestyle relay gold.
The relay is the sisters’ favourite.
As Cate explained, “With the relay we can compete together instead of against each other”.
The Australian swim team for Rio will be finalised tomorrow night.