New Zealand's best medal hope in the pool Lauren Boyle has narrowly missed out on a place in the 800m freestyle final at the Rio Olympics.
Boyle, a silver medallist at the world championships, was well off her best, finishing ninth in qualifying with a time of 8:25.84. The top eight advanced to the final.
Fellow Kiwi Emma Robinson had the 16th best time of 8:33.73. American Katie Ledecky looks set for yet another gold in Rio after breaking the Olympic record in the final heat.
Boyle failed to make the 400m final earlier in the week and told Sky Sport it's been a nightmare lead-up to the Olympics following sickness and injury.
"To be honest it's been my worst nightmare to come to a competition like this. I'm not here to participate because I want to perform. It's quite upsetting to not be able to compete at the capability that I believe I have," she said.
