Brazilian swimmer Rodrigo Castro won the 200-meter freestyle event at the Brazilian Open in Sao Paulo, qualifying for the Beijing Olympic Games.

His time of one minute 48.50 seconds, 0.22 ahead of the Olympic qualifying standard, is a new Brazilian Open record.

"Today, I achieved a goal I have been chasing for my whole life," he said.

Rodrigo Castro is the ninth Brazilian swimmer to secure a spot on the Olympic team.

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2007)