Swimming star Jemma Lowe flies Team GB flag in 200 metre butterfly
OLYMPIC FINAL: Jemma Lowe
JEMMA Lowe will be flying Team GB’s flag alone on Wednesday night in the Olympic 200 metre butterfly semi-finals.
The Hartlepool star, who went into London 2012 as the fifth fastest over the distance in the world this year, qualified as third fastest from this morning’s heats.
But while J Lo went through with an excellent performance, Team GB’s leading 200 metre butterfly swimmer, Ellen Gandy, faded badly in the second heat and failed to make the top 16 for tonight’s semis.
But the 22-year-old Poolie had no such problems coming through the third heat at the London Aquatic Centre.
Starting in lane five and sandwiched between the American and Chinese swimmers, Jemma made a sharp start but once into her rhythm was clearly pacing herself.
Third at the halfway stage, Lowe upped her pace and at the last turn she was second behind the USA’s Kathleen Hersey.
The American finished well to win in two minutes, 6.41 seconds but Lowe was strong on the final length and clocked an impressive 2:07.64.
Hersey was the fastest qualifier, with China’s Liuyang Jiao second quickest with Lowe third.
Jemma looked barely out of breath when she spoke to BBC Tv’s Sharron Davies immediately after the race.
“You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to get in the pool and swim,” said the former High Tunstall College of Science and English Martyrs Sixth Form College student.
“I’m so happy and quite surprised with the time.”
And she added that the noisy fans cheered her into tonight’s semis.
“I could hear the crowd,” she said. “They were absolutely amazing and they kept me going.”
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Friday 24 May 2013
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