Australian swimmer Cameron McEvoy has broken the men's 50m freestyle world record that had stood since 2009's 'supersuit' era. At the China Swimming Open in Shenzhen, the 31-year-old clocked 20.88 seconds, narrowly edging out Brazilian Cesar Cielo's previous mark of 20.91.

The record-breaking swim came just months after McEvoy's Olympic gold medal in Paris and a world title last year. The veteran swimmer had been targeting a personal best after what he described as "special stuff" in training. His previous best of 21.06 seconds suggested he might approach but not surpass the 21-second barrier.

McEvoy's achievement is particularly notable given his age and the nature of the 50m freestyle event. He emphasized that the sprint requires exceptional strength and power, noting that men typically peak in these attributes well into their 30s. This physical reality, combined with his technical mastery, allowed him to overcome the decades-old record set during an era of advanced swimwear technology.