Fourth place for Proud in Olympic 50m freestyle final!
Released: 13.08.16
Overnight, Marjon鈥檚 very own swimming hero Ben Proud took on French defending champion Florent Manaudou, the USA鈥檚 Anthony Ervin and Nathan Adrian, finishing fourth.
The 21-year-old student of Sport Development swam his heart out with a strong start and finished in an incredible 21.68 seconds.
from approx. 51.10.
He said: "As soon as I touched my hand on that wall, it was over. There was nothing I could do about it, so I'm just going to accept the result and enjoy it.
"No one's trying to get fourth, they're doing their best and it's just how it happens. I was absolutely delighted to see Anthony Ervin jump on that lane liner and win his gold after 16 years. It's truly inspiring."
When we caught up with him in training he praised Marjon saying: 鈥淭he University of St Mark & St John has been really supportive over the years. It gave me the flexibility to do the course the way I wanted, to focus on swimming especially this year taking the third year in order to completely focus on my swimming. The older I鈥檝e become, the more lucky I realise I鈥檝e become and I wouldn鈥檛 be in the position I鈥檓 in now without Marjon.
鈥淭he reason I chose Marjon is because it鈥檚 a sports specialist University. The first time I went there I remember seeing all of the facilities and it really is . I tend to use the facilities quite often whether it鈥檚 the bod pod or the gym, and there鈥檚 a pool too.鈥�
In 2014, still only 19 years old, Ben won his first senior international medals, claiming the 50m Freestyle at the Commonwealth Games. He said: 鈥淚 did not know what to expect, I was saying to everyone the Commonwealth Games were just a stepping stone for me to make the Olympics this year. It was a massive relief to get through, after leaving my friends and family back in Malaysia, to start this new life, it made it worthwhile."
Coach spoke about working with Proud in the early days: 鈥淗e was like a giraffe on a hovercraft! In terms of being on land, he really is all over the place.鈥�
What advice does Proud give to other young Olympic hopefuls? 鈥淚t's never too late to start a new sport so enjoy it, that鈥檚 the main thing. Then, if you feel like it鈥檚 something you want to do, go ahead and fully commit.鈥�
What does the future hold for Proud?
"I鈥檓 still young. I鈥檓 21-years-old so I鈥檝e still got many more years ahead of me and two or maybe three more Olympics in me.
鈥淚鈥檇 like to become a role model for the kids coming through and hopefully develop sprinting in Britain. But for now, I鈥檓 still in my prime and I鈥檓 still trying to work hard.鈥�
With Marjon alumnus Helen Glover becoming a double Olympic Champion with victory in the rowing coxless pairs, this is turning out to be a very exciting games for Marjon.
The #marjonontour #Rio focus continues next week as Sarah Barrow steps up to the 10m Platform diving on Wednesday.
MORE:
