Cavic sets world record for Serbia-Montenegro

Milorad Cavic (PHOTO: www.swimnews.com)

Dublin, IRELAND, December 12, 2003 (Reuters) - American-born Milorad Cavic put Serbia-Montenegro on the swimming map when he hurtled to a world short-course record in the men's 100 meters butterfly final at the European championships Friday.

Cavic, who collected a silver medal in the 50 freestyle final, clocked 50.02 seconds to beat the 100 butterfly world mark of 50.10 set by Germany's Thomas Rupprath in 2002.

Cavic seized control at the start and touched at the halfway mark more than half a second clear of Rupprath.

The German, winner of the event at the last three editions of the championships, battled in vain to catch him and lost his world record as well as the title as Cavic hit the wall well clear. Rupprath took the silver in 50.43 and world long-course bronze medallist Andriy Serdinov of Ukraine the bronze in 50.88.

"I love competing in international championships with the Serbian team," said the 19-year-old Cavic.