Cielo couldn't help crying after the victory and again shed tears when the Brazilian national anthem was played at the award ceremony. "I'm extremely happy. I was a little nervous before the race but I think that was my best race ever," he said.

"My dream was to be an Olympic champion and that is now realized," he added. Cielo was group-hugged by his teammates who rejoiced at the rare gold medal.

Australian Eamon Sullivan, the world record holder and silver medallist in 100m, finished the sixth in 21.65 seconds.

"I am a bit disappointed. I gave it my best," Sullivan said.

"I'm almost glad my races are over, I've experienced highs and lows and can take positives and negatives away from it. I'm just looking forward to the future and improving what I've been doing."

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2008)