Australian swimmer Cameron McEvoy breaks the 50m freestyle world record, ending Cesar Cielo’s 17-year reign with a stunning 20.88-second swim in Shenzhen.

AUSTRALIAN Olympic champion Cameron McEvoy has shattered one of swimming’s longest-standing world records. He clocked 20.88 seconds in the men’s 50m freestyle at the China Open on Friday.

The time eclipsed the previous mark of 20.91 seconds set by Brazil’s Cesar Cielo in December 2009. Cielo’s record was set during the now-banned polyurethane bodysuit era.

McEvoy, the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medallist in the event, sliced three-hundredths of a second from the historic benchmark. The 31-year-old entered the meet with a personal best of 21.06 seconds from the 2023 world championships.

The Brazilian legend praised McEvoy’s achievement in a social media post. “Congrats, Cam! Lightning fast swim! Incredible!,” Cielo wrote.

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. Congratulations!,” he added.

McEvoy responded with equal respect for the former record holder. “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants and you my friend are a giant in this sport full respect for your 17 years,” he replied.

“I will do my best to uphold your example!,” McEvoy stated.

The two-time world champion over the distance won the race comfortably. American Jack Alexy finished second in 21.57 seconds.

McEvoy’s compatriot Kyle Chalmers took third place with a time of 22.01 seconds.

 The Sun Malaysia