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Brazil's Cielo gives up on 100m Olympic berth

Xinhua, April 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

Brazil's 100m freestyle world record holder Cesar Cielo has given up on his chance to qualify for the event at this year's Olympic Games to focus on the 50m freestyle.

The 29-year-old clocked 48.97 seconds in Monday's semifinal to earn a spot in the final as the sixth fastest at the last Olympic qualifying competition for Brazilian swimmers.

But he told reporters he would forgo Monday night's race in an effort to save his energy for the 50m freestyle on Wednesday.

"I came with the expectation of trying to make the 100m in 48 seconds and managed 48.97," he said. "It is within what we were aiming for.

"I didn't train for this event. To tell the truth, I feel a little anxious about this strategy because I didn't come to compete in the 100m freestyle. But it was a good performance. Now I' m thinking of the 50m freestyle, which is the main focus of the season."

Marcelo Chierighini recorded the fastest time of the morning in the 100m with 48.20 seconds, followed by Nicolas Oliveira, who clocked 48.30 seconds. Endit