Cameron McEvoy breaks 15-year 50m freestyle world record in Shenzhen
Australian swimmer Cameron McEvoy has broken Cesar Cielo’s 15-year-old men’s 50m freestyle world record by clocking 20.88 seconds at the China Swimming Open in Shenzhen.
The 31-year-old Paris Olympic champion narrowly bettered the historic mark of 20.91 seconds set by the Brazilian in 2009.
Cielo’s time was established during swimming’s controversial ‘supersuit’ era, which featured high-tech, friction-reducing garments that have since been banned from the sport.
Targeting a personal best
The Australian entered the event on the back of impressive training sessions, aiming simply to improve his previous personal best of 21.06 seconds.
“I knew I had a chance to do a PB,” he said.
“My old PB was 21.06, so maybe 20.99, but doing 20.88 is unreal. It’s crazy.”
Strength peaking later in life
Despite being a veteran competitor, the reigning world champion believes his age is a distinct advantage in the shortest sprint event.
“The 50m, I look at it as a strength-based skill. It’s different to the other events in swimming,” he explained.
“A lot more strength and power is involved, and men peak in strength into their 30s, well into their 30s.”
Praise from a swimming legend
Following the monumental achievement, the retired Cielo took to social media to congratulate his successor.
The former record holder graciously described the blistering performance as a “lightning fast swim”.
