Swimming: Freestyle star sure to be quick when not 'crook'

James Magnussen. Photo / Getty Images

World champion James Magnussen's coach can't wait to find out how fast the freestyle swim star can go when he's healthy.

An ill Magnussen clocked the fastest 100m freestyle time since the super suit era at the Australian Olympic selection trials on Monday, just 0.19 seconds from the world record, and coach Brant Best says the 20-year-old also still has a lot of improvement in him.

"He can definitely go quicker if he's fit and tapered," Best said yesterday.

"We had a look at the race and there are areas where he can go quicker. He is also pretty crook, he has been crook for nine or 10 days."

Magnussen has been struggling with a chest infection at the selection trials in Adelaide, and last year won the world championship after a three-week battle with pneumonia.

"I'd like to have a look at a good preparation," Best said. "Last year he was crook and came good a week before.

While Magnussen has targeted the world record, it wasn't a factor for his coach.

"I'm just looking at what we can do better," Best said.

"I don't really talk about the world record at all.

"It's something that is in the front of his mind enough that I don't need to talk about it."

Best was uncertain when Magnussen would be at the height of his powers.

"If we look forward, we don't focus on where we are now."

- AAP