Ben Proud completes medal collection as he wins Olympic Games silver

August 2, 2024

It was the only honour missing from his glittering swimming career – but Ben Proud is finally an Olympic Games medallist.

The 27-year-old had won World, European and Commonwealth titles but an Olympic podium place had eluded him at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games as he finished fourth and joint fifth respectively.

And although he missed out on a glorious gold by a fraction of a second at his third Games appearance in Paris, Proud is now the deserving owner of an Olympic medal.

In the splash and dash 50m Freestyle final, he was beaten to the top spot by 0.05 seconds by Australian Cameron McEvoy.

Proud clocked 21.30 – 0.08 quicker than this semi-final time when he was joint fastest with McEvoy – to take the silver medal and was 0.26 seconds clear of his good friend, Frenchman Florent Manaudou, who won the bronze.

He said: “I know me and Cam tied last night but being put in lane four, it does kind of make you feel like you’re protecting that gold.

“But I had to just keep reminding myself, you know, I haven’t done anything yet, it’s gonna be a great race and, and it was.

“Cam has just come out on full form these past two years and done phenomenal things. He’s changed the way I do my training to some extent.

“But I think the highlight is sharing the podium with this man (Manaudou).

“The 50 is not aggressive or it’s not about who is better. It’s just about everyone doing their best.

“We share the same coach and that goes a long way. So I’m looking forward to going back to him and share this with him.”

Scott wins eighth Olympic medal

Duncan Scott became Scotland’s most decorated Olympian as he won a silver in the Men’s 200m Individual Medley.

In a race which saw Tom Dean clock a personal best time of 1:56.46 as he finished fifth, Scott claimed his eighth Olympic medal of a his decorated career to take him past cyclist Sir Chris Hoy.

Home favourite Leon Marchand won his fourth gold medal of Paris 2024, touching home in an Olympic record of 1:54.06 to the delight of the capacity La Defense Arena crowd.

Scott was trailing in last place after the first 50m but had stormed his way through the field to take fourth following the backstroke leg.

By the time the breaststroke had been completed, he was in second spot and never relinquished it as he finished in 1:55.31.

Scott said: “I probably made my coach nervous at one point. My target was to push myself out there.

“Leon Marchand showed his class there, that is very quick. What he just went after what has been a busy schedule for the guy – it was special to race him.

“It is a great way to finish it off, or maybe I am included in some relays.”

Dean added: “With Leon [Marchand] in it, it was electric. Super exciting and another medal for GB [Ben Proud’s silver medal]!

“We sat in the call room and watched Benny P get the job done and get on the podium. There is no-one more deserving after the years he has been at the top.

“An exciting evening for Team GB in the pool. Really happy with the final and I gave it my all.

“To walk away from this Olympics as a defending champion is an honour.”

Honey happy

Honey Osrin finished in seventh in the Women’s 200m Backstroke as she reached an Olympic final at her first senior International meet.

Osrin set a new personal best of 2:07.84 in the semi-final to qualify third fastest but couldn’t replicate that performance as finished in 2:08.16.

She said: “It’s a learning experience as it’s my first senior meet at an Olympic final so I’m happy.

“I came away with a PB but I just didn’t race it the best that I should have. I know there is a 2:06 in there it’s just got to be the perfect race to make that time.

“I have had so much fun. I was just happy to progress through into semis and even finals. I’ve had a PB as well so I couldn’t have asked for much more.”

Katie Shanahan finished fifth in a time of 2:07.53.