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Cesar CIELO
Sport Swimming
NOC Brazil   
GenderMen
Born10 Jan 1987 in Santa Bárbara d'Oeste, BRA
Height1.95 m
 Human Interest 
Further Personal Information
Residence
Itajai, BRA
Higher education
International Business, Language Studies - Spanish - Auburn University: United States
Sport Specific Information
Why this sport?
His father suggested he learn to swim on a family trip to the beach. He joined the Barbarense Sports Club and discovered his passion. He had his first win at age eight, which inspired him to keep going.
General Interest
Hero / Idol
Brazilian swimmer Gustavo Borges. (swimchannel.net, 25 Mar 2021)
Awards and honours
In 2021 he was named in the Top 100 Greatest College Swimmers and Divers by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America [CSCAA]. (bestswimming.swimchannel.net, 10 Nov 2021; cscaa.org, 09 Nov 2021)

In 2008, 2009, and 2011 he was named Athlete of the Year by the Brazilian Olympic Committee [COB]. (esportes.terra.com.br, 19 Dec 2011; FINA Aquatics World Magazine, 01 Mar 2010)

In 2007 he was named the National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA] Swimmer of the Year while competing for Auburn University in the United States of America. (auburntigers.cstv.com, 30 Nov 2010)

He was named the 2006 Brazilian Swimmer of the Year by the Brazilian television channel, TV Globo. (timedfinals.com, 31 Dec 2006)
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?
He began swimming at an early age at the Sports Club Barbarense in Santa Barbara d'Oeste, Brazil.
General Interest
Nicknames
Cesao (bestswim.com.br, 29 Aug 2018)
Other information
NO RETIREMENT
Although he was not aiming for a spot on the Brazilian team ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, he continues to train and compete in smaller tournaments. "I did not abandon my training sessions, I am just not doing the things I did for the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. I am trying to do my best, but today the Olympic Games is not a priority." (metropoles.com, 10 Mar 2021)

PROJECT
In 2019 he joined Club Nautico Marcilio Dias in Itajai, Brazil. The club is a joint venture with a social swimming project called Nadar, run by the government of the city of Itajai. He first became an ambassador of the Nadar project in 2018. "This partnership with Nadar, a major social swimming project in the country, and one of the biggest in the world, was created in the name of sport and swimming, and for a better Brazil. We will focus on education, health, and the social aspect of sports in order to grow." (fmel.itajai.sc.gov.br, 10 May 2019; g1.globo.com, 01 May 2019; swimchannel.net, 25 Apr 2019; globoesporte.globo.com, 25 Apr 2019)

FURTHER EDUCATION
In 2019 he began studying physical education at the University of Itajai Valley [Univali] in Itajai, Brazil. "I chose physical education because in Brazil it is a compulsory study for those who want to coach swimming, so I want to keep my options open. I have my clinics and my institute, and the Nadar social project. I want to stay involved in sports through coaching, as a way of giving something back." (Univali YouTube channel, 10 Oct 2019; univali.br, 23 Aug 2019)

OTHER ACTIVITIES
In 2010 he launched the Cesar Cielo Institute, with the aim of promoting and developing the sport of swimming in Brazil. "The essence of high performance is sharing knowledge." (diariodonordeste.verdesmares.com.br, 14 Dec 2019; ccsc.cesarcielo.com.br, 01 Aug 2017)

BREAK
In April 2016 he took a break from the sport after failing to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games. After considering retirement, he returned to the sport in February 2017. (globoesporte.globo.com, 29 Jul 2017)
Injuries
He injured his left shoulder in August 2015, forcing him to withdraw from the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, Russian Federation. The injury continued to trouble him into 2016 and he was unable to compete at the 2016 Brazilian Open. (swimswam.com, 11 Mar 2016; olympictalk.nbcsports.com, 05 Aug 2015)

He had surgery on both of his knees in 2012 that kept him out of the 2012 World Short Course Championships. (folha.uol.com.br, 22 Apr 2013; swimswam.com, 14 Sep 2012; No Ar com Andre Henning YouTube channel, 29 Oct 2018)
Further Personal Information
Languages
English, Portuguese
Family
Wife Kelly Gisch, son Thomas [2015]
General Interest
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning gold in the 50m freestyle at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. (globoesporte.globo.com, 04 Apr 2021)
Sport Specific Information
Club / Team
Club Nautico Marcilio Dias: Itajai, BRA
General Interest
Milestones
He became the first swimmer representing Brazil to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games by claiming victory in the 50m freestyle at the 2008 Games in Beijing. (SportsDeskOnline, 02 Sep 2021; swimchannel.net, 25 Mar 2021)
Further Personal Information
Occupation
Coach

 Competition Highlights
Olympic Games
Rank Year Venue Event Result
6 2012 London, ENG 100m Freestyle 47.92 
3 2012 London, ENG 50m Freestyle 21.59 
3 2008 Beijing, CHN 100m Freestyle 47.67
1 2008 Beijing, CHN 50m Freestyle 21.30
Heats 2008 Beijing, CHN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay  
World Championships
Rank Year Venue Event Result
8 2017 Budapest, HUN 50m Freestyle 21.83
2 2017 Budapest, HUN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:10.34
6 2015 Kazan, RUS 50m Butterfly 23.21
Heats 2015 Kazan, RUS 50m Freestyle  DNS
1 2013 Barcelona, ESP 50m Butterfly 23.01
1 2013 Barcelona, ESP 50m Freestyle 21.32
1 2011 Shanghai, CHN 50m Butterfly 23.10
4 2011 Shanghai, CHN 100m Freestyle 48.01
1 2011 Shanghai, CHN 50m Freestyle 21.52
1 2009 Rome, ITA 100m Freestyle 46.91
1 2009 Rome, ITA 50m Freestyle 21.08
4 2009 Rome, ITA 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:29.16
4 2009 Rome, ITA 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:10.80
4 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 100m Freestyle 48.51
Heats 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 4 x 100m Medley Relay  
Heats 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 50m Butterfly  DNS
6 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 50m Freestyle 22.12
8 2007 Melbourne, VIC, AUS 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:17.03
World Championships Short Course
Rank Year Venue Event Result
7 2018 Hangzhou, CHN 50m Freestyle 21.20
Heats 2018 Hangzhou, CHN 100m Freestyle  DNS
3 2018 Hangzhou, CHN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:05.15
3 2018 Hangzhou, CHN 4 x 50m Medley Relay 1:31.49
5 2018 Hangzhou, CHN 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:29.91
1 2014 Doha, QAT 100m Freestyle 45.75
3 2014 Doha, QAT 50m Freestyle 20.88
1 2014 Doha, QAT 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:21.14
3 2014 Doha, QAT 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 1:29.17
1 2014 Doha, QAT 4 x 50m Medley Relay 1:30.51
8 2014 Doha, QAT 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay  
1 2010 Dubai, UAE 50m Freestyle 20.51
1 2010 Dubai, UAE 100m Freestyle 45.74
3 2010 Dubai, UAE 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:05.74
3 2010 Dubai, UAE 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:23.12
5 2006 Shanghai, CHN 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay 7:06.09
5 2006 Shanghai, CHN 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:12.68
5 2006 Shanghai, CHN 100m Freestyle 48.04
10 2004 Indianapolis, IN, USA 50m Freestyle 22.07
6 2004 Indianapolis, IN, USA 100m Freestyle 48.77
19 2004 Indianapolis, IN, USA 50m Backstroke 25.99
2 2004 Indianapolis, IN, USA 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:12.73
4 2004 Indianapolis, IN, USA 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:33.02
Pan American Games
Rank Year Venue Event Result
1 2011 Guadalajara, MEX 100m Freestyle 47.84
1 2011 Guadalajara, MEX 50m Freestyle 21.58
1 2011 Guadalajara, MEX 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:14.65
1 2011 Guadalajara, MEX 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:34.58
1 2007 Rio de Janeiro, BRA 100m Freestyle 48.79 CR
1 2007 Rio de Janeiro, BRA 50m Freestyle 21.84 CR
2 2007 Rio de Janeiro, BRA 4 x 100m Medley Relay 3:35.81
1 2007 Rio de Janeiro, BRA 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 3:15.90 CR
World Cup Short Course
Rank Year Venue Event Result
26 2010   Overall  
1 2010 Rio de Janeiro, BRA 100m Freestyle 47.16
1 2010 Rio de Janeiro, BRA 50m Freestyle 21.16
14 2008   Overall  
1 2008 Belo Horizonte, BRA 100m Freestyle 47.18
3 2008 Belo Horizonte, BRA 50m Butterfly 23.29
1 2008 Belo Horizonte, BRA 50m Freestyle 21.32