George_Corones
George Corones
Australian swimmer (1918–2020)
George Corones (6 April 1918 – 28 March 2020) was an Australian senior swimmer who broke the world 50 and 100 metres freestyle records for his age group in February/March 2018.[1]
Born in Charleville, Queensland, of Greek descent, and whose residence is in Albany Creek, Corones gave up swimming before the Second World War, made his career as a medical practitioner, then resumed swimming only after his 80th birthday.
Corones competed at the 2012 World Championships in Italy, with top three finishes in various 90-94 age group events. In February 2013, Corones smashed two world 95-99 class freestyle records at the Masters Swimming Queensland Meet held on the Gold Coast, Queensland.[2]
At the Commonwealth Games trials held at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, Queensland, Australia, on 28 February 2018, Corones swam 50 metres in 56.12 seconds, breaking the previous record for 100- to 104-year-olds by 35 seconds, taking the record from Britain's John Harrison who had set a 1:31.19 mark in 2014.[3][4] He also set the world record 100 metre mark at 2:24.21 at the same swim meet, on 3 March 2018.[5] He entered the trials as National and Queensland state record holder for five events - the 25, 50 and 100 metres freestyle and 25 and 50 metres breaststroke - having set those records the previous January.[6]
Corones trained at the Albany Creek Swim Club.[7] He turned 100 in April 2018 and died in March 2020 at the age of 101.[8]
| Event | Time | Date | Location |
| 50 m Freestyle | 56.12 | 28 February 2018 | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia |
| 100 m Freestyle | 2:24.21 | 3 March 2018 | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia |