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Starbound McEvoy perfects the science of swimming success

The design on physics student Cameron McEvoy’s swimming cap represents a space-time ripple.

Apr 14, 2016, updated Apr 14, 2016
Cameron McEvoy. Photo: Dave Hunt, AAP.

Cameron McEvoy. Photo: Dave Hunt, AAP.

What he achieved at the Rio Olympic trials in Adelaide may just be Australian swimming’s equivalent.

The aspiring astronaut will be aiming for the stars at the Rio Olympics after becoming the first Australian in history to claim the national freestyle triple crown.

McEvoy clocked a personal best 21.44 seconds – the world’s second fastest time of the year – to claim the 50m title last night.

It marked the first time someone had won the national 50m, 100m and 200m at the same meet since the one-lap event was added to the program in 1983.

McEvoy, 21, had earlier dead heated for the 200m gold and clocked the third fastest time ever to claim the 100m title.

The man dubbed “The Professor” will like what he sees when he crunches the numbers after the trials.

He is now ranked No.1 in the 100m, No.2 in the 50m and equal second in the 200m in the world ahead of the Rio Games.

Suddenly it’s hip to be square.

It is the noise of two black holes colliding somewhere a billion light years away

McEvoy’s efforts in the pool in Adelaide have dropped almost as many jaws as they did pool-side when media asked what the squiggly line on his cap meant.

“It is the detection signal when two super massive black holes collided and made space-time ripple – the noise of two black holes colliding somewhere a billion light years away,” he said to confused silence.

It seems McEvoy will be making waves of his own in Rio judging by his Adelaide heroics.

McEvoy can now conceivably go for gold in all three freestyle events plus three relays at Rio.

“It gives me confidence,” he said.

“I know I am in a great spot to handle a week like this [at the Olympics].

“Add in the extra depth in each event at Rio and [up to three] relays, Rio will definitely be another level on top of this physically and mentally… I have a lot to do but I am aware of what must be done.”

Not that McEvoy was getting too carried away with his 50m effort.

It was just shy of French giant Florent Manaudou’s world best 21.42 for 2016.

However, McEvoy reckoned daylight separated his gold medal-winning effort and Manaudou’s stunning 21.19 that clinched last year’s world title.

It was just shy of Brazil word record holder Cesar Cielo’s 20.91.

“Florent will probably have time to have a cup of coffee by the time I finish [50m],” McEvoy laughed.

Meanwhile, a world record-breaking Australian Paralympic swimming team has been unveiled at the Rio trials in Adelaide.

A 31-strong national team has been finalised after three world records fell during the week-long selection meet.

Ellie Cole swims during the Women's 100m Backstroke Multi-Class event on day 2 of the Australian Swimming Championships at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Adelaide, Friday, April 8, 2016. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Ellie Cole. Photo: Dave Hunt, AAP.

The team will be spearheaded by dual Paralympian Ellie Cole who broke the eight year old S9 50m freestyle world record at the Adelaide trials.

The 24-year-old is also the current world champion in the event.

“For 50m freestyle – leg amputees aren’t very good at it,” Cole said.

“Natalie du Toit held the record before and to follow in her footsteps has been a dream of mine.

“I’ve been on the Australian swim team for 10 years now and performances like that just really remind you of what it is all about.”

The squad’s other world record breakers in Adelaide were 14-year-old Paralympic debutant Tiffany Thomas Kane (S6 50m breaststroke) and three-time Paralympian Jeremy McClure (S11 50m backstroke).

The squad ranges from three-time Paralympians McClure, Matthew Levy and Rick Pendleton to Thomas Kane and Timothy Hodge, just 15.

Australia have competed in swimming at every Paralympic Games, winning a total of 391 medals – 119 gold.

The Paralympics will be held in Rio from September 7-16.

The team will be completed when Swimming Australia makes five additional nominations in the coming weeks.

-AAP

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