Australian Cameron McEvoy has made history by breaking Cesar Cielo's long-standing men's 50m freestyle world record, which was set during swimming's 'supersuit' era. McEvoy clocked an impressive 20.88 seconds at the China Swimming Open in Shenzhen, narrowly surpassing Cielo's record of 20.91 seconds established in 2009.

The 31-year-old swimmer, who previously secured gold at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and a world title last year, expressed his excitement about the achievement. He mentioned that he had been doing "special stuff" in training and aimed for a personal best.

He stated:

I knew I had a chance to do a PB. My old PB was 21.06, so maybe 20.99, but doing 20.88 is unreal. It's crazy.

McEvoy emphasized the unique nature of the 50m freestyle, describing it as a strength-based skill that differs from other swimming events. He noted that the discipline requires significantly more strength and power, and commented on how men often peak in strength well into their 30s.

This monumental achievement not only highlights McEvoy's exceptional talent but also marks a significant moment in the history of competitive swimming.