Brazilian César Cielo's records survive another Olympics

Brazilian swimmer César Cielo's Olympic and world records in the 50m freestyle survived the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Cielo bagged a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Games, and set a 21.30 Olympic record, which remains unbeaten by the champions from the Games in both London and Rio de Janeiro. Also, the Brazilian athlete is still the owner of the 20.91, set in 2009, in São Paulo.

US American Anthony Ervin, who won gold yesterday (Aug. 12), completed the 50m in 21.40. In the semifinals, Frenchman Floren Manaudou, who got silver, had come closer to the mark, with a 21.32.

In the London games, Manadou was also close to Cielo's time, pulling off a 21.34 in the final. He came first, whereas the Brazilian swimmer bagged a bronze, with 21.59.

César Cielo is also the owner of a 46.91 world record in the 100m freestyle. The Olympic record in this category, however, belongs to Eamon Sullivan, from Australia, who managed to get a 47.05 in Beijing. In the Rio games, the gold medal was won by Australian Kyle Chalmers, with 47.58.

Bruno Fratus, who represented Brazil in the 50m freestyle this year, came sixth, with 21.79. In the 100m freestyle, in turn, Marcelo Chierighini finished eighth, with 48.41.

Cielo, however, did not make it to the Rio 2016 Games as he failed to get the minimum time to be qualified.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira