César Cielo

César Cielo, born on January 10, 1987, is a distinguished Brazilian former competitive swimmer renowned for his exceptional prowess in sprint events. He holds the title of the most successful Brazilian swimmer in history, having achieved an impressive tally of three Olympic medals and six individual World Championship gold medals, alongside breaking two world records.

Throughout his illustrious career, Cielo made history as a world record holder in both the 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle events in long course. His remarkable achievements culminated in his induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in September 2023, making him the third Brazilian to receive this honor, following the legacies of Maria Lenk and Gustavo Borges.

Among his notable accomplishments, Cielo's gold medal victory at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 50-metre freestyle remains a significant milestone, marking Brazil's only Olympic gold in swimming to date. That same year, he shattered the NCAA records in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of eighteen point forty-seven seconds and in the 100-yard freestyle at forty point ninety-two seconds, establishing himself as the fastest swimmer globally in these distances.

His remarkable talent and dedication earned him the title of NCAA Swimmer of the Year for two consecutive years, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the world of competitive swimming.