Swimming: McLean fails to fire in pool

8.45pm

ATHENS - New Zealand record holder Hannah McLean was shattered when she swam below her best in the Olympic Games 100m backstroke heats this morning.

McLean, who came to Athens ranked in the world top 10 this year faded to sixth in her heat, clocking one minute 3.09 seconds.

She touched well outside her 1min 1.55sec best, a time that would have easily seen her into the semifinals.

McLean, 23, made the turn in second, then was swamped over the final 50m.

It had been anticipated she would at least make the 16 semifinalists; she instead wound up 22nd fastest of 42.

Her deep disappointment was apparent as she shunned interview requests on her way to the warm down pool.

Coach Jan Cameron told NZPA that McLean needed space.

"She's quite upset. She's down and pulling herself together," Cameron said.

"She'll learn from that."

Cameron felt McLean had been "spot on" through the opening 50m.

While times overall were slower than expected, Cameron said her swimmer was definitely good enough to have stayed in the competition.

McLean will now target the 200m backstroke.

- NZPA