James Magnussen eyes 50m freestyle title at the 2012 London Olympic Games – Swimming News
After being the top medal prospect for 100m freestyle, World champion, James Magnussen is now eyeing the crown of 50m freestyle at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The 20-year-old Magnussen, who won gold medal of the 100m freestyle at the 2011 World Championships, defended his national 100m freestyle title with great audacity at the 2012 EnergyAustralia Swimming Championships in Adelaide.
At first, Magnussen alarmed his competitors, primarily the world record holder of 100m freestyle, Cesar Cielo of Brazil as he captured gold medal of the event in a time of 47.10 seconds.
The Australian is the only swimmer to post a time under 48 seconds so far in 2012. Cielo holds the world record of 100m event as he clocked 46.91 seconds at the 2009 Rome World Championships. Nevertheless, Magnussen’s blistering 47.10 seconds is fastest by any swimmer in the textile suit and he has declared his target of lowering the world record of double lap freestyle event at the London Games.
On the other hand, Magnussen recently won gold medal of the 50m freestyle with a timing of 21.74 seconds and qualified for the same event at London Games. He was followed by the former national champion, Eamon Sullivan, who hit the wall with the timing of 21.92 seconds to secure silver medal and confirm his spot to London Games.
Magnussen was overjoyed with his gruelling pace in the 50m event as this was his first national title and he just added another event to his Olympic event roster.
While expressing his happiness, Magnussen said, “I think that time is actually thereabouts for a medal internationally. We won't focus on it directly. But I'll certainly be confident going into that event in London. I'm really surprised ... I'm not exactly sure where the speed is coming from, but I'm glad to have it.”
In addition, his impeccable pace in the shortest freestyle disciplines is very upsetting for his supporters while the young Australian is confident of disappointing his challengers at the Olympic Games. Furthermore, it would be interesting to see how he swims in his main events at London.
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