99-year-old swimmer breaks freestyle record

99-year-old swimmer breaks freestyle record

Australian swimmer George Corones (99) broke the 50m freestyle record at the Commonwealth Games swimming trial. 

George Corones
Facebook/Australian Dolphins Swim Team

At the Commonwealth Games swimming trials recently held in Queensland, Australia 99-year-old George Corones broke the 50m freestyle record for the 100-104 age group. 
George completed the race in 56.12 seconds, 35 seconds faster than the previous record

When asked how he celebrated the milestone, George simply said: 'Well, I always carry a water bottle with me.'

George was the sole participant in this event in his age category, meaning that the race at Gold Coast was set up specially for him. 
George was a keen swimmer in his youth, but only took it up seriously again in his 80s. He told the BBC: 'I started swimming again for exercise'.

George hopes that this achievement will spur on more of Australia's elderly citizens to challenge themselves and stay active well into retirement

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