Meet the 99-year-old Aussie competing in the Commonwealth Games
For the upcoming Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Australia has a total of 473 athletes representing our nation, but there is one who is already winning our hearts.
Ninety-nine-year-old Australian swimmer George Corones has been added to the Aussie team for the upcoming Commonwealth Games after smashing the 50m freestyle world record.
When Corones swam in the specially added masters event, he had no opponents in the 100-104 age bracket, but he didn’t let that slow him down.
Masters swimmers compete in the age bracket that corresponds with their birthday and Corones will soon be celebrating his 100th birthday in April.
Remarkably, the Aussie sensation took a massive 35 seconds off the previous world record, completing the race in 56.12 seconds.
Corones has built up quite a fan base after footage of his record-breaking swim went viral and now Australia can cheer him on at the Commonwealth Games.
At the age of 80, Corones took up swimming and his goal for the Commonwealth Games trial was to complete the race in under a minute.
“I’d be surprised if I can’t break the minute. I’m aiming to swim 58 (seconds),” he said.
Masters Swimming convinced Swimming Australia to add the special event for Corones at the Commonwealth Games trials and it has paid off.
🇦🇺 @GC2018 News. Today the #Triathlon team welcomed 99yo swimming world recorder holder George Corones onto the team as an honorary member. 🙌
📍In 1938 he was at the Empire Games in Sydney as a 19yo. Same age as @Matt_Hauser this Games. - 80 years apart. 💛💚 pic.twitter.com/FZHkmkfhev— Triathlon Australia (@TriAustralia) March 20, 2018
On Tuesday, Corones was announced as an honorary member of the Aussie team.
In 1939, Corones was a part of the Empire Games in Sydney at the age of 19 and now 80 years on, he is still proving himself to be an inspirational athlete.