At Rio 2016, Brazil will be sending its largest ever swimming team to an Olympic Games, but Cesar Cielo won't be part of it. The world record holder in the 50m and 100m freestyle could only finish in third place over the shorter distance on Wednesday (April 20) in the Olympic qualifying tournament that doubled up as the test event at the brand-new Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Barra Olympic Park.

Brazil's only Olympic champion in swimming finished behind race winner Bruno Fratus and 23-year old Ítalo Manzine Duarte. Fratus and young star Duarte paid tribute to Cielo, who they said had inspired them in their careers. Cielo won Olympic gold in the 50m freestyle and bronze in the 100m freestyle at Beijing 2008 as well as bronze in the 50m freestyle at London 2012.

An emotional Cielo apologised for his performance and was applauded and cheered by an appreciative crowd throughout his post-race poolside interview.

“I want to ask for forgiveness, it was just too much for me. Last year I had a difficult year and today I didn't swim well. I wish the team good luck”

Cesar Cielo

Duarte (right) beat Cielo to Brazil's final qualifying slot for the 50m freestyle (Photo: Rio 2016, Alex Ferro)

The King is dead, long live the king

Although Cielo will not be taking part, the powerful home team includes other established swimmers such as Thiago Pereira and Joana Maranhão as well as rising stars Larissa Oliveira and Etiene Medeiros. The performance of the Brazilian swimmers in the traditional Maria Lenk Trophy, which doubled as the Olympic trials, will worry rivals and raise the expectations of the home crowd in August.

Pereira, who took silver at London 2012 in the 400m medley, is expected to challenge the likes of Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte at Rio 2016. The Brazilian has replaced the 400m with the 200m medley and has concentrated on improving his performance in the crawl. He has also swapped breathing sides to raise his speed.

Thiago Pereira during the final of the 200m medley in the Olympic Aquatic Stadium (Photo: Getty Images/Buda Mendes)

As well as Phelps and Lochte, Pereira will also need to outperform Brazilian teammate Henrique Rodrigues. In the final of the 200m medley on Tuesday (April 19), Pereira and Rodrigues tied for the gold in exactly the same time: 1:57.91 (just one millisecond behind the third fastest time this year, set by Michael Phelps). 

Venue ready for action

The Olympic Aquatics Stadium will be taken down and rebuilt as two smaller aquatics venues after the Games
(Photo: Rio City Government/Renato Sette Camara)

The test event put the new Olympic venue through its paces, with just over 100 days to go until the Olympic Games. The swimming events will take place from 6 August to 13 August.

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“The main tests were for elements of the competition area such as the swimming pool and the systems for starting, timekeeping and results,” said Rio 2016 sports director Rodrigo Garcia. “There are still adjustments to be made. Our overall assessment is positive. When an athlete is competing, the pressure increases. There is no margin for error.”

Around 400 swimmers, the majority from Brazil, participated in the tournament. Despite some issues with the lighting, the feedback was positive. “It looks great, it looks like it's from another planet,” said Brandon Almeida, a member of Brazil's 400m medley relay team.