2 Aug 2012

Kean fails to make 200m backstroke semi

12:22 am on 2 August 2012

New Zealand's Gareth Kean has had a disappointing swim in the 200m backstroke at the London Olympics, finishing last in his heat on Wednesday.

Kean posted a time of 2min 0.54s.

The Wellington swimmer is ranked 11th in the world and was expected to make the semifinals at the Aquatics Centre.

Meanwhile, the women's 4x200m freestyle relay team of Tash Hind, Samantha Lucie-Smith, Amaka Gessler and Melissa Ingram failed to reach the final, finishing 11th in 7min 55.92s on Wednesday.

It continues New Zealand's poor performance in the pool so far, with Lauren Boyle the only swimmer to qualify for a final.

The 24-year-old finished last in the 400m freestyle in a time of 4min 06.25s on Sunday. France's Camille Muffat won the gold.

Boyle will compete in the 800m freestyle event on Thursday.