South Africa’s swimming sensation Chad le Clos can step out of Cameron van der Burgh shadow and into the limelight tonight. The 20 year-old qualified second fastest for tonight’s 200 meters butterfly final, upstaging the iconic Michael Phelps. He clocked one minute 54-point-3-4 seconds to set a new African record in his semi-final. Japan’s Takeshi Matsuda touched ahead of le Clos in 1 minute 54-point-2-5seconds. “Ja, I am just happy its my second final, I’m loving every minute of it. You know after Cameron’s win the mood has picked up in camp and I am looking forward to the final,” said an excited le Clos. But le Clos’ efforts were over-shadowed by Lithuanian schoolgirl, Ruta Meilutyte, who claimed her country’s first ever swimming medal. Meilutyte led from start to finish in the 100 meters breaststroke final. The 15 year-old held off a fierce challenge from American world champion, Rebecca Soni, at the death — winning in one minute, five-point-47 seconds. Meilutyte now goes to a local school in the English town of Plymouth that has a respected elite swimming programme.
Gideon Louw qualified for the semi-finals of the 100 metres freestyle
Meanwhile, another South African, Gideon Louw, qualified for the semi-finals of the 100 metres freestyle. His time of 48-point-2-9 seconds was the second fastest of the morning heats. Compatriot, Graeme Moore, didn’t make it through, finishing seventh in his heat in 49-point-2-9 seconds. The men’s 4×200 meters freestyle relay team is also through to the final after finishing seventh fastest in 7 minutes 11-point-5-1 seconds.
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