O’Connor lowers British record in 200m IM semis

Swimming News

Siobhan-Marie O’Connor was just outside the Olympic record as she dominated the 200m IM semi-final on day three of Rio 2016.

The University of Bath swimmer was the fastest qualifier overall, beating even Katinka Hosszú who set a new Olympic record in the heats earlier that day. O’Connor touched in 2:07.57 to lower her own British record by over half a second.

She had the lead for the whole of semi-final one, and she really came into her own during the breaststroke leg, in which she put over a body length of clear water between her and the rest of the field.

O’Connor commented:

“I’m really pleased because I’ve been trying to go under 2:08 for a long time.

“I thought I could do it but it’s been a long time coming – my last PB was at Commies two years ago.

“I thought I had it in me last year but it didn’t quite go to plan so to finally break the 2:08 is great.”

“Tomorrow is a completely different ball game. I’ve just got to do my best and recover well and relax. I know I’m swimming well so I’ll just do my best tomorrow and see what happens.”

Scotland’s Hannah Miley finished joint sixth in the same heat.

Guy falls short of Bronze in 200 Free

James Guy put in a tremendous performance in the Men’s 200m Freestyle event, and was just twenty six hundredths of a second away from a bronze medal finish.

The Millfield swimmer touched in 1:45.49. If he had managed his British record time, he would have secured himself a silver medal.

Guy said:

“It’s devastating really. Fourth is the worst place you can get. For me the first few days here, I let the swimming control me and I wasn’t controlling the swimming.

“I’ve worked all my life for this but I’m on a journey and hopefully I’ve got two more Olympics left in me. I’m still only 20 years old and I’m posting those times.” – James Guy

“I would have won a medal for my time at Trials but I’m still learning. I’m enjoying racing the best guys in the world and I’m happy to be here.”

Top