Fiona Doyle exited the Olympic 200m breaststroke after falling two seconds off her national record in Rio this afternoon, writes Will Downing.
The 24-year-old from Limerick came second in her heat in a time of 2:29.76, where her Irish record and personal best is 2:26.86 set at the Eindhoven World Cup in 2013.
Doyle, who made headlines with her criticism of Yulia Efimova during the 100m event in Rio, led for most of the race, but was outgunned in the final 25m by Julia Sebastian of Argentina in what was the first heat.
But with all those in the second heat recording faster times, the writing was on the wall for the three-times Universiade World University Games medallist.
Doyle clocked the 25th fastest time, with only the top 16 progressing.
Meanwhile, after his double gold medal last night to bring his all-time Olympic gold tally to 21, Michael Phelps won his heat of the men’s 200m individual medley, but would see his time bettered by fellow American Ryan Lochte, who recorded the best time of the round – 1:57.38, compared to Phelps’ 1:58.41.
2nd for @Fionamdoyle in Women's 200m Breaststroke Heats. 2:29.76 having led through to 150m. Gave it her all. pic.twitter.com/xQH6OukEzK
— Team Ireland (@olympiccouncil) August 10, 2016
