Bracing for record
World champion Magnussen sends warning to Olympic swimming rivals
ADELAIDE: World champion James Magnussen swam the fourth fastest 100m freestyle ever to win at the Australian trials in 47.10 last night and secure his place at the London Olympics.
Ever confident, ‘The Missile’ Magnussen then issued a clear message to his rivals: “Brace yourselves.”
The 20-year-old Magnussen said before the race that he was targeting Cesar Cielo’s world record of 46.91, set at the 2009 World Swimming Championships while wearing one of the high–tech bodysuits that are now banned in competition.
“I feel pretty confident after that swim,” he said. “I’m going to be doing everything within my power to break that world record, because I do want to be considered the fastest man in history.”
Magnussen, wearing only the knee–length swimming shorts, got very close. He took 0.39 off his personal best time set at the world championships at Shanghai last year – and did it without even having a close shave. He explained his stubble beard by saying he liked the rough look.
Magnussen’s long–time rival James Roberts – both were born on April 11, 1991 – was second in 47.63.
Only Brazil’s Cielo and Alain Bernard of France have ever broken the 47–second mark. Fellow Australian Sullivan swam 47.05 – then a world record – in the semi– finals at the 2008 Olympics but had to settle for silver in the final at Beijing.
Magnussen’s split was 22.68 at the 50-meter turn, below what he’d been told he needed to have any chance of beating the record. He remained inside the world record pace until the last few meters of the race.
“I backed myself tonight and really went after it,” he said. “I really felt it in that last 10m.”
The first seven finishers all swam inside the Olympic A-qualifying time, giving both Magnussen and Roberts confidence for the 4x100m relay in London. Magnussen was part of the winning sprint relay at the world championships last year, and Roberts was a heat swimmer in the team.
“That was probably the best thing that could have happened to me tonight, having James there with me the whole way,” Magnussen said. “We’ve been racing each other for a long time and hopefully now we’ll both be in London together and in that relay team ... giving it to the rest of the world.
“If the Olympics were going to be tomorrow, you’d have to say that relay team is pretty bullet proof. But the rest of the world can try and catch us.”