Change for Cam

SWIM star Cameron McEvoy has split with longtime coach Richard Scarce and is seeking a new mentor to help drive his Tokyo Olympic campaign.

The fastest man in history over 100m in a textile suit, McEvoy had been unable to find his best form at major meets over the past two years and decided he needs a change.

McEvoy is yet to make a call on his future but is trialling the programs of Gold Coast coaches Michael Bohl at Griffith University and Chris Urquhart at The Southport School and David Lush in Brisbane.

The 24-year-old said leaving Scarce, who runs the Bond University program that has produced Commonwealth Games relay gold medallist Elijah Winnington, had been an incredibly tough decision.

“That decision was definitely up there with one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in my life – both making the decision and conveying the deci- sion,” McEvoy said. “But I got a lot of support from Rich when we spoke about it and his main concern was just to get me into whatever (program is best for me) in order to get to wherever I can get in swimming.

“It was really, really, hard. I don’t know how else to put it.”

And having Scarce’s support had been a relief.

“It was really nice. I know Rich really well and I knew he would support me regardless,” McEvoy said.

“With other swimmers he’s had in the past that have moved on he’s been supportive and so I knew he would be no different to me but it still didn’t make the anticipation of going to that meeting any less easy.”

McEvoy knew now was the time to make a change.

But knowing he needs to make the right decision on a new squad, McEvoy is determined not to rush the call and could sacrifice a spot at the Pan Pacific championships if his squad trials mean he has compromised his preparations for the August meet.