London, July 30 (ANI): Former Dutch swimmer Pieter van den Hoogenband has praised Australia's James Magnussen and dubbed him the "true" 100m freestyle world record holder.
"I think he has the world record, 47.49, that's faster than the 46.9 in the suits. For me, he is the fastest man ever," thetelegraph.co.au quoted Magnussen, as saying.
Magnussen's recent 47.49 sec swim was the fastest-time ever outside the super-suit era and bettered van den Hoogenband's 47.84 sec, which he set in the semi-finals at the Sydney Olympics.
Hoogenband said Australia's new world champion was a 'pure swimmer'.
"I am still passionate about swimming and it's now good to see the real swimmers are taking over the podium, the good swimmers not the guys with the suits, the guy with the speed and strength won," Hoogenband said.
"He swims how swimming should be done - pure," he added.
Hoogenband said the 20-year-old would have to deal with immense pressure and he hoped five-time Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe would step in and mentor Magnussen.
"It's going to be very interesting to see because Ian Thorpe is making a comeback," Hoogenband said.
"He can be a sort of mentor there, he is the champion in the pool and now he has to be the champion outside of the pool," he said.
"It's weird to get your life in balance and stay focused on your passion. For me he is the No.1 favourite for Olympic gold. It is less than one year before the Olympics," he added.
Hoogenband said that he was 'really impressed with the way that Magnussen swam the final and became the favourite in four days'.
"The way he led off the relay, the way he stayed in front, the way he won the final and the way he swam, that was impressive. His technique in his second 50, the way he is in the water, I really loved it," he said. (ANI)
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