Swimmers find it tough going on day four in Rio

Three New Zealand swimmers were below their best in the heats today.

In the men’s 100m freestyle Matthew Stanley finished in 50.14s, but it was not enough to get him under his personal best of 49.59, and not enough to progress.

“There's just nothing in the legs when the pressure goes on. The injury put me back too far,” Stanley said.

"I've been able to do mid pace work but not top end. Its gutting."

He was 42^nd of 59 starters.

Experienced Glenn Snyders was 23^rd in the 200m breaststroke, swimming 2min 12.47s, a couple of seconds below his best time set in London 2012 but on par with his time in the event at trials earlier this year.

Hinting at retirement Snyders said “I thought at 150m that if this is my last race then I can put up with the pain for another 30 odd seconds.

“It was an ok swim. I focussed on keeping my stroke long and it felt ok.”

And Helena Gasson was off the pace in the 200m butterfly. Her 2min 12.18s left her in 25^th position. Gasson’s personal best is 2min 09.84s.

“That was disappointing,” Gasson said. “I wanted to come here and swim PB’s but it didn’t happen. I’m so disappointed.

“I’ve come a long way this year and I desperately wanted more. It hurts but I will learn from this.”

Tomorrow in the pool Corey Main will be looking to produce another personal best performance as he takes on the 200m backstroke and Bradlee Ashby will contest the 200m individual medley.

CAPTION: Helena Gasson in action in Rio. Photo credit: Ian MacNicol

Rio Olympic