Australian Legends Lead ‘Old-School’ Performances That Have Stood Test of Time (Men’s Edition)
Earlier this week, Swimming World ran the first segment in a two-part series that highlights performances which have stood the test of time. In the initial feature, we profiled the female athletes who still rank in the top-25 all-time in an event after 20 years. Several notable names dotted the list, including American Janet Evans and Dutchwoman Inge de Bruijn.
Now, it is time to recognize the men’s swimmers who own top-25 rankings in an event after 20 years, and there is plenty of Australian representation in the freestyle events. Unlike the women, who were represented across multiple strokes, the men only had one non-freestyle event make the cut. As was the case with the women’s edition, qualification for this list required the performance was 20 years old.
Enjoy!
Ian Thorpe: 200 Freestyle – 1:44.06 (2001)
The 2001 edition of the World Championships was a showcase for Australia’s Ian Thorpe, who dazzled with multiple world records. One of those standards was a 1:44.06 outing in the 200 freestyle, which was the world record for nearly six years. Thorpe’s time was revolutionary and enabled athletes to see what was attainable over four laps of freestyle. It still ranks the Hall of Famer seventh all-time in the event.
Pieter van den Hoogenband: 200 Freestyle – 1:44.89 (2002)
Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband earned Olympic medals during his career from the 50 freestyle through the 200 freestyle, proof of his versatility. At the 2002 European Championships, “Hoogie” cracked the 1:45 barrier in the 200 freestyle for the first time, an effort that slots him 25th all-time. He was once the world-record holder in the event and was crowned Olympic champion in 2000.
Ian Thorpe: 400 Freestyle – 3:40.08 (2002)
Australian legend Ian Thorpe makes his second appearance on this list for the 3:40.08 he produced at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. That swim served as the world record until 2009, when Germany’s Paul Biedermann raced .01 faster at the 2009 World Champs, where super suits ruled. Thorpe’s time, as a testament to its power, still ranks him No. 3 in the history of the 400 freestyle.
Grant Hackett: 400 Freestyle – 3:42.51 (2001)
The 400 freestyle marks the first time we see the name of Grant Hackett in this feature, but it will not be the last. Although best known for his prowess in the longer freestyle events, Hackett was an extraordinary 400 freestyler. His best time of 3:42.51 was good for the silver medal (behind Ian Thorpe) at the 2001 World Championships and positions the Aussie at No. 13 in the all-time rankings.
Grant Hackett: 800 Freestyle – 7:38.65 (2005)
The 2005 World Championships in Montreal saw Grant Hackett capture gold medals in the 400 freestyle, 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle, along with a silver medal in the 200 free. In the 800 freestyle, Hackett wiped out Ian Thorpe’s world record with a clocking of 7:38.65. Despite the distance excellence we have seen in recent years, that time from the Australian ranks him ninth all-time in the event.
Ian Thorpe: 800 Freestyle – 7:39.16 (2001)
Yet another showing for Ian Thorpe, and in an event that was easily the third-best of his program. At the 2001 World Champs in Fukuoka, Thorpe rocketed to the gold medal with a world-record time of 7:39.16. The swim marked the first time an athlete had covered the event in under 7:40, and it still places Thorpe at No. 12 in history.
Grant Hackett: 1500 Freestyle – 14:34.56 (2001)
Make it three events on this list for Aussie Grant Hackett, who held the world record in the 1500 freestyle for a decade. Hackett blasted a time of 14:34.56 at the World Championships in Fukuoka, and that mark held up as the global standard until 2011, when China’s Sun Yang cut .42 off the record. In the all-time rankings, Hackett still sits in the seventh position.
Kieren Perkins: 1500 Freestyle – 14:41.66 (1994)
Australian distance swimming has long featured greats in the sport, and the fact that Kieren Perkins makes an appearance in this feature details his legendary status. At the 1994 Commonwealth Games, Perkins delivered a world record of 14:41.66 in the 1500 freestyle, a standard that lasted until countryman Grant Hackett broke it in 2001. Perkins’ 1500 freestyle time remains venerable, ranking him 22nd all-time.
Larsen Jensen: 1500 Freestyle – 14:45.29 (2004)
When Larsen Jensen set an American record of 14:45.29 in the 1500 freestyle at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, it enabled him to earn the silver medal in the event behind Australian Grant Hackett. Jensen provided a boost to the American distance scene, which is now carried by Bobby Finke. Jensen’s time, nearly 21 years after its production, places him 25th all-time.
Ian Crocker: 100 Butterfly – 50.40 (2005)
Coming off a silver medal in the 100 butterfly at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Ian Crocker popped a spectacular performance in the event at the 2005 World Championships in Montreal. Behind a mark of 50.40, Crocker established a world record that lasted until 2009, and remained the textile standard until the 2016 Olympics. Crocker’s effort continues to rank him No. 11 in event history.
