Swimmer Cameron McEvoy will reportedly pull out of the 200m freestyle at the Rio Olympics to focus on Australia’s relay teams.
The semi-finals of McEvoy’s individual race are scheduled for the second day of the Games, the same day as the 4x100m freestyle relay final.
It means McEvoy’s hopes of a record six medals at the same Olympics have been dashed, with him now only set to swim the three relay races along with the 50m and 100m individual freestyle races according to News Corp Australia.
McEvoy is expected to announce the news on Monday.
The 22-year-old finished eighth in the final of the 200m freestyle at last year’s world championships in Russia, before he tied for first with Thomas Fraser-Holmes at Australia’s Olympic qualifiers in April.
Queenslander David McKeon, who finished third in the qualifiers, 0.98 seconds behind McEvoy, is expected to take his place in the event.
jameswm
Roar Guru
If the Missile has had time to put in the work to get back near his best, then we are 50/50 to win.
Torchbearer
Guest
Clever and smart move- Australias 4x100m (that clashes with the 200m) is a gold medal chance, but we need to be firing on all cylinders cranked up to 11 to win!
jameswm
Roar Guru
Agreed, I thought from the start he should drop the 200 free. I hope he has his "feel" for the water back! That's more important.
spruce moose
Guest
This is tactically smart. He really didn't stand much chance of getting a medal in this race.