ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — World champion James Magnussen swam the fourth fastest 100-meter freestyle ever to win at the Australian trials, clocking 47.10 seconds on Monday night to secure his place at the London Olympics.
The 20-year-old Magnussen said he was targeting Cesar Cielo’s world record of 46.91, set at the 2009 world championships while wearing one of the high-tech boydsuits that now are banned in competition.
Magnussen, wearing only the knee-length swimming shorts, shaved 0.39 off his personal best set at the world championships in Shanghai last year.
Only Brazil’s Cielo and Alain Bernard of France have broken the 47-second mark.