Newtownards swimmer Barry McClements has advanced to this evening’s Men’s 100m Butterfly final.
The 22-year-old will contest for medals in the Paris La Defence Arena at 5.35pm.
He glided home in a time of 1.01.85 to finish third in his heat which proved to be enough to advance to the final. The County Down man qualified sixth fastest overall with Simone Barlaam of Italy the fastest qualifier with a of 1.00.17 seconds.
“That felt good,” he told RTÉ Sport. “There were no technical issues, the start and turn were both good.
“I maybe got caught out in the first couple of strokes and tied up in the last 15m, but that will be corrected tonight so I’m happy enough.
“My front-end speed isn’t as fast as the other guys,” he said. “At the Europeans I turned fifth at the wall and finished third, I’m able to bring it back a bit more than the other guys.
“That’s my second fastest morning swim ever, so hopefully a PB tonight.”