New coach Jacco Verhaeren says a world 100-metre freestyle record is possible for James Magnussen in this week’s Australian Commonwealth Games swimming trials in Brisbane.
Brazilian Cesar Cielo holds the world record at 46.91 seconds from the 2009 Rome world championships, but Dutchman Verhaeren says Magnussen is at a “fantastic level” ahead of Tuesday’s six-day selection trials.
Magnussen, the world 100m champion, has clocked four sub-48 second times ahead of the trials and is FINA’s top-ranked sprinter in the event with a year’s best time of 47.59 set in Perth in late January. His personal best is 47.10.
“It’s hard to talk about times but he’s at a fantastic level,” Verhaeren said ahead of the trials.
