One of Brazil’s biggest Olympic stars is not doing so well one year before the Rio 2016 Games.
Cesar Cielo, the three-time reigning World champion in the 50m freestyle, withdrew from the World Swimming Championships on Wednesday due to a left shoulder injury and will not be able to attempt to win a fourth straight gold medal in the event Saturday.
Cielo, the 2008 Olympic 50m free champion and world-record holder, was not part of the 4x100m freestyle relay in Kazan, Russia, on Sunday. Brazil finished fourth.
He was sixth in the 50m butterfly Monday, failing to earn a third straight World title in that non-Olympic event.