Math helps McEvoy win the 50m freestyle record

For 16 years, the 50-meter freestyle world record seemed untouchable. Until Australian Cameron McEvoy decided to treat swimming as a mathematical problem – and found the solution: 20.88 seconds, a new world record, at the China Open in Shenzhen. The mark surpasses César Cielo’s 20.91 seconds, set in 2009, and draws attention to the application of mathematical optimization principles to sports training.

More than a sporting achievement, McEvoy’s feat stands out for its scientific origin. With degrees in mathematics and physics from Griffith University and Emmanuel College, the swimmer developed his own training approach based on analyzing and enhancing speed.

Traditionally, preparation in high-performance swimming favors large volumes of training and long distances. McEvoy took a different path. Inspired by disciplines such as track cycling, speed athletics and climbing, he began to investigate fundamental performance variables such as time and power.

Based on this approach, he drastically reduced the volume of aquatic training, from around 30 km a week to just 2 km, and concentrated his efforts on very high-intensity, short-duration sessions. Outside the pool, he developed a specific strength and power program, adjusted to the 20 seconds of maximum effort required in the race.

The result was direct – McEvoy lowered his personal best by 0.18 seconds (21.06s, recorded in 2023) and joined the group of swimmers who have broken the 21-second barrier, alongside Cielo and French swimmer Frédérick Bousquet.

Cielo congratulated the new record holder. McEvoy, world champion in 2023 and Olympic gold medalist in 2024, said he had looked up to the Brazilian in his career.