Stewart McSweyn breaks his own 1500m record in Monaco

A Tokyo-bound Aussie has created history by breaking his own record in the 1500m, cementing himself in national athletic folklore.

Stewart McSweyn has blitzed the previous Australian 1500m record at the Diamond League meet in Monaco.

The 26-year-old smashed his own record by one second as he ran a breathtaking time of 3:29:51, marking the first time in history an Australian has eclipsed the 3:30 timestamp in the 1500m.

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McSweyn firmly cemented himself as the prime Australian middle-distance medal candidate, as his Monaco time is 1.5 seconds faster than any of his national compatriots.

McSweyn broke his own 1500m record in Monaco.

Not only that, but the Tasmanian broke his sixth Australian record in less than three-and-a-half years.

McSweyn also qualified for the 5000m and the 10,000m events at the Tokyo Olympics, but believes his best hopes for a medal will be in the 1500m race.

The middle distance supremo’s podium chances are high, as he won’t be jostling alongside 1500m world No. 1 Timothy Cheruiyot.

The Kenyan came up short at his nation’s Olympic trials, mustering up a fourth-place finish and missing out on a ticket to Tokyo.

McSweyn was not the only Aussie in the race to set a new personal best, either.

Jye Edwards — also set to make his Olympic debut — ran an impressive 3:32:23, and planted himself as the sixth-fastest Australian in the 1500m.

Originally published as Stewart McSweyn breaks his own 1500m record in Monaco