Cielo Breaks 50 Free World Record At Brazil Championships - AuburnTigers.com

Cielo Breaks 50 Free World Record At Brazil Championships Cesar Cielo broke former Auburn teammate Fred Bousquet's record by .03 seconds

Cesar Cielo

Dec. 18, 2009

SAO PAULO, Brazil - Former Auburn swimmer Cesar Cielo set a 50m free world record on the second day of competition at the 2009 Brazil Long Course Championships.

Cielo posted a time of 21.02 during the preliminary round on Thursday night, just .08 away from former Auburn teammate Fred Bousquet's world time of 20.94. Then, in the finals Friday morning, Cielo came out and clocked a new global standard of 20.91 to just best Bousquet's mark that he set on April 26 of this year at the French National Championships.

"It was an amazing performance by Cesar this morning and the home crowd went crazy when 20.91 popped up on the screen," head coach Brett Hawke said. "I was lucky to be in France when Fred broke the record and now I'm fortunate to be here in Brazil to witness Cesar break Fred's mark.

"If an Auburn swimmer is going to lose a world record then nothing is better than it going to another Auburn swimmer. Cesar and Fred are both champions and we are so lucky to have two special athletes who do extraordinary things represent Auburn. I am very happy for Cesar."

Cielo also competed in the 400 free relay, recording a leadoff time of 47.29. He, along with teammates Andrew Daudt, Fernando Da Silva and Gabriel Mangabeira took first in a time of 3:16.30.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Cielo came away with the gold medal in the 50 free and is the 2009 World Champion in the event. He also finished his three-year career at Auburn with two NCAA titles and three SEC titles in the 50y free.