Tourmarkin fails to reach swimming semi-finals

Israel’s top swimmer Yakov Toumarkin has failed to reach the semi-finals of the 100-meter backstroke.

The 24-year-old, who registered the best-ever finish for an Israeli swimmer at the London 2012 Olympics, when he finished the 200m backstroke final in seventh place, finished his heat on Sunday evening in seventh place in a time of 54.66.

However, his Games aren’t over yet, with him involved in his preferred distance, the 200m backstroke event on Wednesday.

He said: “I’m really disappointed. I looked at my time at the end of the race and I couldn’t believe it, I’m in good shape so I expected more from myself.

“The 200m back is a different race and I’ll be more comfortable there.”

Amit Ivry returned to the pool in the 100m breaststroke heats, though she finished her heat in sixth place, in a time of 1.09.42, which was 3.64s slower than the qualifying time for the semi-finals.

Andrea Murez, who has struggled with sinusitis, was withdrawn from the 100m backstroke heats, due to her ill health.

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