Ben Proud “Like A Greyhound Ready To Be Let Go”
Ben Proud’s odyssey since he first left Malaysian shores at 16 has seen him cross continents, practice within the Pacific Ocean with Anthony Ervin and declare each title bar the Olympics.
The Nice Britain athlete stands fifth all-time within the 50m freestyle rankings along with his nationwide document of 21.11 that has stood because the 2018 European Championships in Glasgow.
He has been on the very prime desk for a few years, claiming his first worldwide titles on the 2014 Commonwealth Video games the place he clinched the 50 free/fly double.
Proud turned the primary man to concurrently maintain the world, Commonwealth and European titles, clinching the treble in lower than eight busy weeks in the summertime of 2022.
Ben Proud: Photograph Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
That got here a yr after he completed joint fifth in Tokyo, Proud desolate and inconsolable as he fell in need of the efficiency degree of which he’s so succesful.
His psychological wellbeing spiralled and he was on the point of retirement earlier than returning to the pool and claiming the world short-course title in Abu Dhabi on the finish of Olympic yr.
The 29-year-old heads to Paris having produced the third-fastest time of his profession in April when he posted 21.25 on the British trials, eclipsed in 2024 by solely Cameron McEvoy and his efforts of 21.13 and 21.23 on the World Championships in Doha the place Proud gained bronze.
It is going to be his third Olympics after fourth at Rio 2016 – 0.19 behind the USA’s Nathan Adrian in third – was adopted by that fifth place in Japan.
Proud stated:
“I can say I’ve had a profitable profession: perhaps not within the Olympic sense however even nonetheless, that is my third Olympics and I believe that’s one thing worthy to be fairly pleased with.
“I nonetheless form of sit on this place the place no matter what occurs at this meet, I’m pleased to be a swimmer and pleased to do what I do and I really feel if it have been to be taken away – contact wooden – I might be very content material with what I’ve completed by means of my profession.
“Saying that, I’m simply excited to simply race once more as a result of the yr of coaching I’ve had, the previous 12 months, has been so regular and managed and constant and one thing that I’ve not had in such a very long time.
“For me it’s such the joy of with the ability to race once more: I really feel like a greyhound that’s sat ready to be let go, to simply run. I’m simply excited to get to that pool and swim.”
The Enduring Affect Of Anthony Ervin
As Proud completed fourth in Rio, Ervin claimed the title in 21.40, 16 years after successful at Sydney 2000 as he turned the oldest champion within the occasion’s historical past.
Their tales have been as soon as extra intertwined as Proud – looking for to rediscover his love of the water – travelled to Kapolei, Hawaii to affix up with Elliot Ptasnik, founder and head coach {of professional} coaching group Aloha Aquatica.
There he labored with Ervin, five-time Olympic champion Aaron Peirsol and Andrii Govorov, the 50 fly world-record holder and two-time European champion.
They educated collectively within the Pacific Ocean the place they shared the water with whales, turtles and sharks.
Ptasnik and Proud labored on getting a really feel for the water, partaking with it and growing physique consciousness within the pool and the ocean, constructing as much as 15m sprints in five-metre increments.
Ben Proud: Photograph Courtesy: British Swimming
Proud and Ervin additionally shared many conversations away from the water in what was a transformative interval within the former’s life.
Whereas he doesn’t have a lot contact with Ervin, the Briton stated:
“Not within the bodily type however I might say the time we had collectively has massively influenced my strategy to swimming and to the enjoyment and to simply the form of vitality that I used to be on the lookout for to see me although to Paris.
“It had been precisely what I wanted.
“Everybody who is aware of me is aware of that I’m a horrible communicator however on a deeper degree I’m super-grateful and I form of carry that.
“I acquired a message previous to racing in Fukuoka and it’s simply one in all this stuff, only a few phrases but it surely simply has a lot emphasis behind it.
“I’m feeling like I’m supported by a number of good individuals proper now.”
Clearness Of Mindset
Whereas in 2023, Proud travelled to Malaysia and the USA to hunt inspiration, this yr has been one in all tunnel imaginative and prescient at his base in Gloria, Türkiye, which he has described as his “pleased place”.
Proud is basically self-coached, albeit below the watchful eye of James Gibson with enter from energy and conditioning coach Marco Cosso.
He has discovered a approach of coaching that fits him, a steadiness, saying:
“I really feel higher ready than I’ve ever completed so however with out that stress on the physique or with out that psychological strain that you just are likely to put your self below.
“I’m feeling good and I believe I simply form of realised that main into these Video games in comparison with three years in the past, simply the mindset by way of focus and understanding the place I’m and what I have to do is a lot extra clear.
“I really feel way more in command of myself and my talents and every part: it’s only a very refreshing feeling.”
Proud On Dressel
In addition to McEvoy, awaiting in Paris would be the likes of Florent Manaudou – looking for his fourth straight medal within the occasion after his golden debut at London 2012 – world champion Vladyslav Bukhov and Josh Liendo of Canada.
Additionally current might be Caeleb Dressel, the reigning Olympic champion.
Dressel gained 5 titles in Tokyo – together with the 50 and 100 free plus the 100 fly – however stepped away from the pool in the course of the 2022 worlds.
Proud final yr described the American to Swimming World as “the very best sprinter our era has seen.”
Ben Proud: Photograph Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Whereas these of us watching on see the titles and the WRs, what’s it that Proud sees as himself among the finest sprinters in historical past?
“I believe you’ve gotten quite a bit guys – particularly this yr – who’re beginning to present good occasions, by way of singular stand-up performances – me being one in all them I’d say.
“However then you definately come to Dressel who is just not solely a multi-eventer, he performs his greatest race below the strain of the crowds and spectators.
“So, once I say greatest sprinter, he’s simply so laborious to beat in that sense.
“I’d say this yr is totally different due to his new strategy as properly.
“I wouldn’t be capable to title many different sprinters who’re of his calibre simply by way of pure – I don’t wish to say pure expertise as a result of I do know it’s not pure expertise – it’s laborious work and his way of life, his journey.
“He’s positively an individual that you may’t deny the accolades that he’s achieved and simply the sheer respect for his performances from different swimmers.”
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