KAZAN, Russia (AP) Cesar Cielo of Brazil has withdrawn from the world swimming championships because of a left shoulder issue and returned home.
He scratched the 50-meter freestyle, where he was the three-time defending champion.
Team spokeswoman Eliana Alves said Wednesday that Cielo is dealing ''with a lot of pain.'' He was sent home for further examination.
Cielo finished sixth in the non-Olympic 50 butterfly on Monday, his only other individual event in Kazan. He will need to be replaced as the anchor of Brazil's 4x100 medley relay.
Cielo skipped the 4x100 free relay on Sunday because of his shoulder, and the Brazilians finished fourth without him.
Bruno Fratus is Brazil's other entry in the 50 free, where he is seeded fifth. Cielo was seeded seventh.
