Swimming: All Rome hails Cesar as record smashed

Cesar conquers Rome by virtually walking on water after dipping goggles in Vatican city holy water.

This is not a joke.

Brazil's Cesar Cielo became the first man to officially break the 47s barrier when winning the 100m freestyle in world record time at the Fina world championships yesterday.

Buoyed by some divine assistance after Australian coach Brett Hawke took his goggles to St Peter's Basilica and dipped them in the holy water, Olympic 50m champion Cielo touched the wall in 46.91s to claim the gold medal.

His time eclipsed the world record held by Australia's absent sprinter Eamon Sullivan (47.05s) and was faster than the 46.94s time posted by Frenchman Alain Bernard in April but not ratified by Fina because of his swimsuit.

Cielo wore the modified Arena X-Glide at the Foro Italico, skimming across the pool like no one has ever seen before to beat home Bernard (47.12s) and French training partner Fred Bousquet (47.22s).

The emotional Brazilian, known for punching himself prior to a race and crying at training, celebrated in style and broke down in tears on the podium as his national anthem was played.

"Brazil doesn't get a lot of gold medals so whenever I get a chance everybody expects me to win and to get second is a big disappointment," explained Cielo. "I felt behind the blocks like I had an extra 1000 pounds on my back ... I couldn't feel my hands, I couldn't feel my face but at the same time I'm thinking 'oh my god I've got to perform in the 100 free'.

"My family is Catholic, we all believe in the church and we have our beliefs. I pray a lot and I think it helps me and today I am just grateful."

Cielo reserved special praise for Hawke, the former Australian Olympian who coaches their elite squad of sprinters at Auburn University in Alabama, including bronze medallist Bousquet. "Brett is a great friend and a great coach," said Cielo.

Hawke said there was no doubting Cielo is the world's best sprinter.

"These guys are very talented, a lot more talented than I ever was," he said. "The Cesar that won the bronze [Olympic 100m] was a little boy and the Cesar than won the gold is a man now.

"I don't think in Beijing he honestly believed he could do it, whereas now he has 100 per cent confidence he is the best in the world."

- AAP