Almost a decade on from when he first burst onto the scene at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Ben Proud will represent Team GB at his third Olympics in Paris.
The 29-year-old swimmer is one of the fastest athletes in his sport and in 2022 became the first person ever to win World, European and Commonwealth swimming titles in the same year – all within two months of each other.
A year later, Proud scooped the gold medal at the 2023 British Swimming Championships in the 50 metres freestyle, and earlier this year won the 50 metres freestyle at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships.
We spoke to Proud, via AirAsia, about his sport and thoughts ahead of the upcoming Olympics:
What’s the earliest Olympic memory that sticks in your mind?
‘I can’t remember the exact year but I think it was watching the 2000 Olympics in Australia on the television that had me hooked. I remember being around six-years-old at the time and watching it with my grandma in Newcastle.
‘There was no athlete in particular I can recall seeing but it was just watching the swimmers in the pool that fascinated me and I said to her that is what I wanted to do when I was older, to swim in the pool at the Olympics. I’d grown up swimming and being in the water from a very young age and seeing the competitor’s race against each other got me so excited.’
What is it you love about swimming?
‘I’ve always been so passionate about swimming and having spent my childhood growing up in Malaysia because of my father’s job, being in the water is what I love. Whether it is the ocean or the swimming pool, growing up in a tropical climate meant I spent so much time keeping cool in the water and it brings out the childish side of me.
‘I also obviously love the competitive side of swimming and the process of fine tuning the details of sprinting and planning on getting from one side of the pool to the other in the fastest possible time.’
What’s the hardest thing about your sport?
‘As a 50 metre swimmer, I need to be as effective as possible in a short space of time so I have limited time and resources to do so. I have to work out how to dive, go underwater and swim in the quickest time so it is finding the right speed and balance to do all three things that is the tricky part of the job.’
What’s the best route into competing in swimming?
‘My route was not a normal one as I grew up in Malaysia and so was used to just being in the water all the time. I was on a school team but never took it seriously until the coach told my mum he could make me Malaysian National Champion within a year.
‘These days there are so many sports clubs kids can join and you can use them to see if you have a passion for the sport. My advice is to see if you enjoy it and you really don’t need to make a decision to pursue it until you are 14 or 15 years old. It is not something to rush in too.
When did you know you’d make it as an Olympian?
‘I remember I had a new coach and was making steady progress around 2011 and won a big race in Malaysia. I was driving home with my mum and knew at that point I was ready to make it as an Olympian.’
Paris Olympics
What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
‘Fortunately I have had no major injuries in my sport, although I have had quite a few back problems. I think my biggest challenge is finding the right balance between loving and hating the sport at the same time. Staying in the middle zone takes a lot of grit and determination.’
What are your thoughts ahead of the Paris 2024 games?
‘This is my third Olympic games and I am really looking forward to going to Paris and soaking up the atmosphere. I don’t talk about being confident as that is not my style but I really feel I am heading in the right direction.
‘I think I am in the driver’s seat and in control which powers me on. My parents will be there and hopefully my family and friends will too but it all depends on them getting tickets as it is not so easy but either way my loved ones will be there, even if it means they are watching and supporting me from the side-lines.’
Ben Proud is an AirAsia Dare to Dream brand ambassador. For more details, visit www.airasia.com.
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