Swimming: Bree into Semi-Finals

Andrew Bree smashed his Irish record by over two seconds when he won heat four of the men's 200 metres breaststroke in a time of 2:10.91 and booked his place in tomorrow's semi-final at the National Aquatics Centre.

The 27-year-old led his heat from the outset and bettered the previous Irish record of 2.13.15 he set at the US National Trials.

After the seventh and final heat Bree's qualification was confirmed as the Helen's Bay swimmer finished 12th fastest of the 16 swimmers who advance to the semis.

Although failing to advance from the 100 metres breaststroke, Bree becomes the first Irish male swimmer to reach the semi-final stages at the Olympics.

In the 100 metres Bree improved his Irish record by 0.07 seconds with a time of 1:01.76 but that still left him down in 30th place.