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by Alex Hoad
Ellen Gandy has vowed to ‘give it everything’ after booking her place in tomorrow night’s Olympic Final of the 100m butterfly.
The 20-year-old Bromley star – now based in Australia – qualified seventh fastest of the eight qualifiers in the semi-finals on Saturday evening.
Her time of 57.66secs was good enough for fifth place in her semi, well behind winner and American gold medal favourite Dana Vollmer, but due to it being faster than the opening semi-final, six of the eight finishers secured their places in the final based on time.
Gandy – who is more widely fancied to compete for the medals in the 200m butterfly - will now start tomorrow nights showpiece in lane one.
The Beckenham SC member (pictured) said: "The time wasn’t great and I swallowed a bit water at the turn, but I’m just so happy to be in the Final. It’s my first Olympic Final so I’m over the moon.
"It’s all pretty much focusing towards the 200m. It’s a bonus to get into the final and anyone has a shot in a final so I’m just going to give it everything tomorrow."
Gandy changed tack and removed her headphones as she walked to the poolside to raucous cheering from the partisan British crowd, and admitted she wanted to soak the atmosphere in.
She said: "This morning (in the heat) I didn’t want to look at the crowd because I didn’t want to get overwhelmed but it was absolutely amazing tonight.
"I am glad I could experience that and feel the roar of the crowd. It was unbelievable."
Gandy helped earn the Olympics in London, appearing in a ‘back the bid’ poster aged 12, pictured diving off the Thames Barrier.
She said: "It’s mad to think that I’m here now. It’s amazing."
Do you think Gandy can trouble the medal positions? Have your say below.