Special races at Commonwealth Games swimming trials to give man, 99, chance to set world records

SPECIAL races will be staged at the Commonwealth Games swimming trials to give a 99-year-old man the chance to set world records.

George Corones of Albany Creek will try to break two world records at the Commonwealth Games swimming trials. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Special races will be staged at the Commonwealth Games swimming trials to give a 99-year-old Albany Creek man the chance to set two world records.

On Saturday, George Corones swam the 50m freestyle almost 20 seconds under world record time at the Albany Creek Masters Swimming’s (ACMS) Short Course Meet.

But ACMS secretary Heather Butler said his time of 57.11 seconds could not be recognised as a world record as the pool did not have automated operating equipment.

The current record, the only FINA short course world record for the 100-104 age group, is 1 minute 16.92 seconds.

Masters swimmers compete in the age bracket that corresponds with their birthday that year.

Masters Swimming has convinced Swimming Australia to stage special events for Mr Corones at the Commonwealth Games trials at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre from February 28 to March 3 to give him the chance to set long course world records in the 50m breaststroke and freestyle.

Mr Corones completed his five races on Saturday- the 25m freestyle, 25m breaststroke, 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke and 100m freestyle — setting Queensland and national records in all.

He had no opponents. Mrs Butler said there were no others in his age group in Australia.

George Corones (yellow cap) executes a text book dive at the start of the 25m breaststroke at Albany Creek Masters Swimming’s (ACMS) Short Course Meet on Saturday.

Mr Corones, who took up swimming when he was 80, was confident he could break the 50m freestyle world record if his health held up.

“I’d be surprised if I can’t break the minute. I’m aiming to swim 58 (seconds),” he said.

But he tempered his optimism, saying winter illnesses had cut his training the past two years and that at his age his health could fail quickly.

“It’s only an assumption at this stage as to what I’ll be able to do,” he said.

George Corones in action on Saturday (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Mrs Butler said most of Mr Corones’ times were equal to, if not better than, than swimmers 30 years younger.

“George is an absolute legend in Masters Swimming.

“He has an efficient technique. He will always get there.

“All competitors stayed for the presentation of the Centurion Trophy (on Saturday). They formed a guard of honour for him to go up and receive his trophy.

“He gave a speech in which he credited his longevity to the wonderful exercise that swimming is, as you age.”

Originally published as Special races at Commonwealth Games swimming trials to give man, 99, chance to set world records