George Corones clocked 56.12 seconds at an official event in Queensland – a new benchmark for the 100-104 age category.

He eclipsed the previous mark, set in 2014, by 35 seconds. It will now be verified by the sport’s governing body.

Mr Corones, who is eligible for the record because he turns 100 in April, said he was “quite delighted” and “over the world” by the result.

“It was an exemplary swim for me, well balanced… and I was ready to hit the [wall] at the end very hard with my hand,” he told the BBC.

He said he had been overwhelmed by the “roaring” crowd on the Gold Coast on Wednesday. The event, in which he was the sole entrant, had been specifically staged for him to challenge the record.

“We have just witnessed history in the making!” the Australian Dolphins swim team said on its Facebook page.

‘It takes a while to get going’

Mr Corones, from Brisbane, said he was a keen swimmer in his youth but only began swimming again aged 80.

“I gave it up at the beginning of the war [World War Two], and I don’t think I had a swim of any description until I retired,” he said.

“I started swimming again for exercise.”

He said racing “undeniably” challenged him physically, but it was manageable with preparation. On average he swims laps three times a week, and also fits in gym sessions.

“At this age it takes a while to get going… you get exhausted much more easily, but if you do it sensibly, the rewards are astronomical,” he said.

He attributed his success to his pacing and technique.

“My first dozen strokes were well balanced and the trick is to just carry it on progressively, putting a little bit of increasing effort in each stroke,” he said.

“I did that until the last 10m – I knew I was tired and done – but went on without any disturbance.”

The previous record of 1:31.19 was set by British swimmer John Harrison in 2014.

Mr Corones’s race took place just before the Australian Swimming Trials for the Commonwealth Games, which will begin on the Gold Coast next month.

Masters Swimming Australia said the record was pending official verification by the International Swimming Federation (Fina).

Mr Corones will challenge the 100m freestyle record on Saturday night, believing he can beat the current mark of 03:23.10, which was also set by Mr Harrison.

“I’m not a young man by any means, but I am really looking forward to it and confident I can do very well,” he said.

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Source: BBC

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Mr Bobridge, 28, was arrested in Perth on Wednesday on five charges of selling and supplying MDMA, including two of a trafficable quantity, police said.

He was granted bail on Thursday and will face court again next month.

Mr Bobridge retired from cycling last year because of rheumatoid arthritis after a career filled with accolades.

He was arrested after police raided his home and gym in separate suburbs of Perth.

It followed a long-running investigation into the alleged dealing of illicit drugs in licensed venues around the city.

Police said they had charged 61 people and seized about A$1m (£600,000; $800,000) in drugs as part of their operation since June.

The drugs included MDMA, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine and cannabis.

Mr Bobridge competed in three Olympic Games, winning silver medals in the team pursuit in both 2012 and 2016.

He also won four Commonwealth Games gold medals, three track world titles, and broke the world record for the 4km individual pursuit in 2011.

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Source: BBC

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It is believed the city did not meet the criteria set by the Commonwealth Games Federation and an announcement is expected later on Monday.

Durban was awarded the Games in 2015 as the only city to make a confirmed bid and it was to have been the first African host of the event.

Liverpool has expressed an interest in staging the 2022 edition.

The Games first took place in 1930 and are held every four years, featuring athletes from more than 50 countries, mostly former British colonies.

Last month, the South African sports minister Fikile Mbalula indicated the city may not be able to host the event because of financial constraints.

“We gave it our best shot but we can’t go beyond. If the country says we don’t have this money, we can’t,” he said.

A spokesperson for Liverpool city council said: “We had heard rumours that Durban might be unable to deliver the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and have already indicated to the government that we are very willing to host them instead.”

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Source: BBC

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