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Payne secures Rio 2016 spot at Olympic Qualification Tournament

Keri-anne Payne stormed to a second place finish in the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming Olympic Games Qualification Tournament in Portugal this weekend, to put herself in contention for Rio 2016 Olympic selection.

Under clear skies, the 2009 and 2011 10km world champion battled to the front of the huge field of more than 50 world class swimmers in Setubal.

Tackling the course for the very first time, Payne had to contend with cold temperatures and a strong tidal flow in the Setubal waters, ultimately touching in 1:55.12.9 – narrowly crossing behind China’s Xin Xin (1:55.12.1) as the pair swam away from the field in a sprint finish.

Rio 2016 will be Payne’s third Olympic Games, having won silver in the 10km marathon at Beijing 2008 then finishing fifth in the same event in front of a home crowd at London 2012.

Danielle Huskisson put in an impressive performance to finish ninth in 1:56.04.6, but with only the highest placed Brit gaining a consideration place, will unfortunately miss out on Rio.

Jack Burnell has already earned consideration for nomination to Team GB after he finished fifth in the 10km event at last year’s World Championships in Kazan.

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