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Great Britain’s Ben Proud won bronze in the men’s 50m freestyle on the penultimate day of the World Championships in Doha.<\/b><\/p>\n
Proud, who won gold at the 2022 championships and bronze last year, finished third in 21.53 seconds.<\/p>\n
Ukrainian Vladyslav Bukhov earned gold with a time of 21:44 – just 0.01 seconds ahead of Australia’s 2023 world champion Cameron McEvoy.<\/p>\n
“I really take it as a privilege to be here,” said Proud.<\/p>\n
“I’ve been in multiple World Championship finals now, and I said a couple of years ago that if I’m not going to be the best in the world, I just want to be consistent, constantly top five – and in doing that, it delivers more medals now and then.<\/p>\n
“All eyes are on Paris, so this is like a nice token to take back to the team and the family, and another point along the journey.”<\/p>\n
Speaking after winning his first world title, Bukhov said Russian athletes should “absolutely not” be allowed at the Paris Olympics because of the ongoing war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed in December that Russian and Belarusian individuals who qualify for the Games are permitted to take part as neutrals.<\/a><\/p>\n “It’s hard, really hard,” said Bukhov, 21. “We train while Russian rockets are flying round the swimming pool. You never know if you stay alive or not. It’s difficult. For all Ukrainians.”<\/p>\n Asked if Russians should compete at the Paris Olympics, he added: “Absolutely not. I want to say Russia is dangerous and should not be supported in competition.”<\/p>\n Elsewhere<\/b>, Anna Hopkin finished third in her women’s 50m freestyle semi-final to qualify fifth fastest overall for Sunday’s final.<\/p>\n Freya Colbert missed out on a podium place as she finished eighth in the women’s 200m backstroke final.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n