IRELAND’S TOM FANNON has agonisingly missed out on a spot in the Men’s 50m Freestyle final at the 2024 Olympic Games after another brilliant swim.
Fannon broke the Irish record for the second time today, clocking 21.74 in a fourth-placed semi-final finish at the La Defense Arena. He was 10th overall, ultimately 0.1 second shy of progression.
Cayman Island’s Jordan Crooks won Fannon’s semi-final in 21.54, while Caleb Dressel of USA and Frenchman Maxime Grousset were second and third respectively.
Fannon faced a nervy wait for the result of the second semi-final, from which five advanced. Great Britain’s Benjamin Proud won in a time of 21.38.
France’s Florent Manaudou claimed the eighth ‘Splash and Dash’ final qualifying spot in 21.64.
“It’s hard because I’m really happy with it, it’s a PB, but also you want to make a final,” Fannon told RTÉ afterwards. “Considering this is my first Games and that’s such a stacked field, I’m happy with 10th position.
“It’s annoying because I think if I swim that race again, I’d go faster. There’s some things that I didn’t quite like about that race, that was more to do with when I stepped up the gears. I think I left it a little bit too late — and that’s one of the worst feelings, getting out and going, ‘Ugh, could have done this,’ but I have to be happy.
“First Games, semi-final, almost a final, two Irish records, PB.”
“I’m going to celebrate this because it is a victory,” he added. “And then head down for the next four years, try and get a medal. That’s the goal.”
This morning, Fannon clocked 21.79 seconds to win his heat.
Well done Tom, you can’t ask for much more really
@pat d: absolutely. You can’t ask for anymore from someone than 2 national records.
Hard luck on not making the final Tom,missing out by the smallest of margins.
Absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about, swam two rounds and faster in both than any Irish man preciously. Compared to other races, it (50m Freestyle) has by far the biggest field in the heats (60 swimmers)….
Bittersweet alright for the man. Absolutely brilliant performances with two personal bests, each a national record, and only like a half percent time difference in not making the final.