Jamieson smashes own British record (From Echo)

Jamieson smashes own British record

8:31pm Tuesday 31st July 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2013

Michael Jamieson once again broke the British swimming record in the 200m men's breaststroke semi-final with a time of 2:08:20.

Caitlin McClatchey finished seventh in the 200m freestyle which United States swimmer Allison Schmitt won in Olympic record time.

The 26-year-old McClatchey produced her best performances for years to reach the final but she was not realistically expected to be in the battle for the title. McClatchey touched in 1:57.60 in what is set to be her final Olympics after three Games.

Schmitt, who last month swam the event faster than anyone in textiles in history, led from start to finish and touched in a dominant 1:53.61.

Jemma Lowe squeezed into the final of the 200m butterfly in 2:07.37, a relief after the shock exit of world silver medallist Ellen Gandy in the heats.

Lowe said: "You have to have a lot of belief just to control yourself in the first 50 and keep calm when you can see people in front of you.

"Tonight was probably a little bit dangerous but it worked perfectly.

"I feel like I have a little more in the bag but you never know in the final, there's a chance for everybody. I'm just going to give it my best."