Anthony Ervin, an Olympic champion in 2000 as a teen at Sydney, won the men's 50-meter freestyle Saturday at the US Pro Swim Series meet in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 34-year-old American, who won the world 50 and 100 free titles in 2001 at Fukuoka, captured the Charlotte title in 21.98 seconds just three weeks after starting workouts at the same pool.
"We've been doing a lot of technique work the last few weeks as well as trying to get that start down," Ervin said. "I think it has been paying off. I'm not only hopeful, I'm enthusiastic about the next few weeks."
Canada's Santo Condorelli, who would later win the men's 50 butterfly in 23.82, was second to Ervin in 22.15 with American Josh Schneider third in 22.16.