MONTREAL, July 27(Xinhuanet)-- Germany's Mark Warnecke was not only the eldest swimmer but also the oldest winner in Montreal as he grabbed his first world title in men's 50m breaststroke here on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old swimmer defeated a squad of late 70s and 80s inthe final and snatched his first world title at 27.63. American Mark Gangloff followed the"senior" swimmer at 27.71 and Japanese star Kosuke Kitajima took the bronze at 27.78. The runner-up is 23- year-old and the bronze medallist is 22.

It is quite common that a comparatively old athlete is often asked when is he or she going to be retired. The first question for Warnecke in the press conference was just this one.

"People have been asking me for 15 years when am I going to quit," Warnecke said,"I don't know, maybe another 20 years."

The German veteran made his Olympic debut in 1988, when American wunderkind was only a three-year-old kids. His best result at Olympic Game was a bronze medal in the 100m breaststrokein Atlanta 1996.

In the previous three long-course World Championships he took part in, Warnecke had not got chances to stand on the podium. His best result was a fourth place in the 50m breaststroke in Barcelona two years ago.

Now, as a doctor of traumatology, Warnecke doesn't have much time for training as the other competitiors."I don't train like I did in 1996. I train maybe just two hours a day, four kilometers every day."

"Why I'm still here?" Warnecke had to face another question aiming at his age in the press conference."Why not? I like swimming. I like the sports. It's fun for me, especially you are capable enough to be here at the World Championships. Then, why not?" Enditem