SWIMMING: It was ‘back to the office’ for Australians James Magnussen and James Roberts in the heats of the 100 metres freestyle with both sprinters qualifying for tonight’s semi-finals with tradesman like performances.

Magnussen, the reigning world champion, qualified in fourth place on 48.38, while Roberts, who entered the meet as the world number two on this year’s rankings, was equal 12th on 48.93 with Frenchman Yannick Agnel, winner of two gold medals already this week.

The fastest qualifier was American Nathan Adrian (48.19) from South African Gideon Louw (48.29).

Both Magnussen and Roberts were integral parts of Australia’s pre-race favourite 4x100m freestyle relay team that shocked the country by finishing fourth two nights ago and while the pair said it was hard to get over the disappointment of that result they were determined to move forward.

Roberts said he was keen to look ahead rather than dwell on the past.

“I’m pretty happy with that,” Roberts said. “Morning swims are usually pretty tough to get up and swim fast but today was just about executing the best race I could.

“Obviously after the other night I had to put that behind me and move on.”

Magnussen was happy with his swim and was looking to take a calm approach into the next round.

“I felt like it was quite a good swim and I feel like I can go quite a bit faster tonight,” Magnussen said.

“I’ve just got to stay relaxed. When I’m relaxed and confident, that’s when I get the results.”

Women’s 200m butterfly

Australian Jessicah Schipper has moved through to the semi-finals of the women’s 200m butterfly in 12th place after getting to the wall in 2:08.74 in the gruelling four-lap event. The fastest qualifier was American Kathleen Hersey on 2:06.41.

 Schipper, who was third in both the 100 and 200m butterfly at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, failed to make it out of her in the shorter butterfly event earlier this week but now has the chance to swim in an individual final for the third successive Olympic Games.

Samantha Hamill, the second Australian in the event, finished 20th in her only swim of these Games, with a time of 2:11.07.

The swim was the third of Hamill’s Olympic career – she was 12th in the 200m butterfly and 22nd in the 400m individual medley in Beijing.

After her race Schipper said she was focussed on relaxing today and getting the job done tonight.

“I think I am just going to try and stay relaxed, have a good sleep today and a big lunch and come in and take it as it comes,” Schipper said.

“If I put too much pressure on myself it never seems to work.”

Men’s 200m breaststroke

The reigning Olympic silver medallist, Brenton Rickard, was Australia’s sole representative in the men’s 200m breaststroke and the experienced campaigner progressed to the semi-finals in 15th place with a time of 2:11.41.

Hungary’s Daniel Gyurta, who won a silver medal in the event at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games as a wide-eyed 15 year-old and was fifth in Beijing four years later, showed he is here to claim gold with the top time of 2:08.71.

Like Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly tonight,  Japan’s Kosuke Kitajima is aiming to create history by winning a third straight Olympic crown following mighty victories in 2004 and 2008 and he moved through in fifth on 2:09.43.

Rickard, who finished sixth in the 100m breaststroke a few nights ago, is a noted big occasion performer and went from 14th ranked to third in the 100m semi finals. He said it didn’t matter where he was placed going into the semi.

“I don’t think that swim killed me,” Rickard said. “Any lane’s a good lane. I was 14th after the 100 heats and turned that around pretty quickly. I’ll go home, rest up today and do the same in this.”

“I think it’s just about easy speed more than anything for me. This morning was a reasonable first 100"

Men’s 4x200m freestyle relay

The young Australian team has qualified in fourth position for tonight’s final of the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay.

The USA was easily the top qualifier with a combined effort of 7:06.75 and has set up another big clash with the in form French (7:09.18). Germany was third best on 7:09.23, with Australia clocking 7:10.50.

The morning team of Olympic debutants David McKeon (1:48.25), Cameron McEvoy (1:47.89), Ned McKendry (1:47.55) and Ryan Napoleon (1:46.81) have an average age of just 20 - so the future is bright.

Thomas Fraser-Holmes, who is also 20, and who was seventh in the individual 200m last night, will likely come into the team, as will dual Olympian Kenrick Monk. The versatile Tommaso D’Orsogna also swam a great split in the heats of the 4x100m relay, so is in form, too if called upon.

In Beijing the unheralded Australian team qualified in sixth place before going on to with a gutsy bronze and that is not out of the question here in London.

Napoleon, the elder statesman of this morning’s team at the grand old age of 22, said the morning’s atmosphere was amazing and the team had rising potential.

“It was awesome, a great experience. A relay’s always completely different to individual swims.  You’ve got that real team feel.

“(There’s) a really good connection with all the other guys here, we’re all pretty young. It’s exciting.

“Last year we came fifth at world (championships) and I don’t think there’s a great deal of expectation on us to perform like some of the other relays but it’s a fun experience to be able to surprise Australia maybe.

“I think a medal is a realistic goal. France and the USA are ahead but I think a bronze medal would be outstanding.”  

Dave Lyall in London
Olympics.com.au