AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Janet Evans’ Olympic comeback at age 40 just got serious.
In her first elite-level competition since coming out of retirement, the former United States gold medalist and world record holder qualified Friday for this summer’s Olympic trials in the 400 meter freestyle at the Austin Grand Prix.
Evans won her preliminary with a time of 4 minutes, 17.27 seconds, easily beating the Olympic trials qualifying standard of 4:19.39. Evans knocked about 5 seconds off of her best time coming into the meet.
Evans’ coach Mark Schubert said her goal at this weekend’s meet was to qualify for the Olympic trials in the 400 and 800 meters. Evans is scheduled to swim the 800 on Sunday.
The United States’ Olympic trials begin in June. The London Games begin in July.
