Magnussen adds 50 freestyle to his 100 trials win

[March 21, 2012]  ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) -- James Magnussen completed the sprint freestyle double at Australia's Olympic swimming trials on Wednesday, winning the 50 meters two days after he captured the 100.

Magnussen finished the 50 21.74 seconds, less than a second outside Brazilian Cesar Cielo's world mark of 20.91 set in December 2009 before full-length bodysuits were banned by swim governing body FINA. Magnussen is the world champion in the 100.

Eamon Sullivan, silver medalist in the 100 free at the Beijing Olympics, was second in 21.92, followed by 50-meter world champion Matthew Abood in 21.94.

"I've ridden the high from the 100 win right through the week and it's a great way to finish," Magnussen said.

Geoff Huegill, who lost over 100 pounds before making a successful comeback for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, saw his Olympic qualification attempts end when he finished fifth in the 100 butterfly in 52.50.

He needed to finish first or second to attend his third Olympics after missing Beijing in 2008. The 33-year-old Huegill was a bronze medalist in the 100 butterfly at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and won gold at the Delhi Commonwealth Games in the same event.

Chris Wright won Wednesday's race in 51.67, with Jayden Hadler (52.09) placing second to also secure an individual berth for London.

[Associated Press]

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