Dual world champion James Magnussen is ready to bury the disappointment of London and spearhead Australia’s charge in the pool at the Commonwealth Games.
Magnussen is hunting a record haul of gold medals in Glasgow and will chase his first in the 4x100m freestyle relay tomorrow. The now 23-year-old was a rookie member of the Australian team in Delhi four years ago but has since experienced the highs and lows of his sport.
A world champion in the 100m freestyle in 2011 and 2013, Magnussen became the poster boy for underachievement at the London 2012 Olympics after snaring silver in his pet event. But through it all, Magnussen insists he has become a better swimmer and person.
“Delhi feels like a lifetime ago, actually,” Magnussen told News Corp. “I was so young and naive going into the last Commonwealth Games. I was so relaxed that nothing could unsettle me. Obviously, I’ve been through a lot since then. I’ve got a lot more experience and had a lot more ups and downs. Yeah, it’s been a crazy ride.”
Magnussen expects his greatest competition at the Commonwealth Games to come from countryman Cameron McEvoy, who beat him in the 100m final at the national trials earlier this year.
“To lose a race is never a bad thing,” Magnussen said. “I learn a lot more from races I’ve lost over the last few years than I’ve won. It could’ve been a dangerous thing for me had I gone 47.4 or 47.5 (at trials) and just beaten Cam. I could’ve rested on my laurels a little.
“But as a result of losing that race, I’ve been very focused, very motivated and very determined to get my race right at the right time at the Commonwealth Games.”
