Andrej Jezierski has finished fourth in the semi final of the Canoe Single 200 metres meaning he will not progress to the final.

Cork based Andrej Jezierski has qualified for the semi final of the Canoe Single after the 32-year-old came second in his heat.

This is as good a day as any to throw in the ball and announce, with a suitable fanfare of mixed metaphors of course, that the much-anticipated summer of sport has begun.

Ireland secured its 50th qualifier for the Olympic Games yesterday when Polish-born Andrej Jezierski ensured his place by finishing in the top two qualifying positions in the canoe sprint at the final qualifying tournament in Poznan yesterday.