Bryan’s Olympic bid

Clare native Chris Bryan is targeting a top nine finish at the FINA Olympic Marathon Swimming qualifier in Portugal tomorrow to secure his place at the London Games.

Bryan, third at the LEN European Open Water 10km Cup in Turkey last month, is bidding to become the first Irish swimmer to compete in the event at an Olympics.

Swim Ireland performance director Peter Banks said: “Chris has progressed really well in last two years in Open Water Swimming.

“This is a great opportunity for him and I believe he will do a great job.

“Ireland has never had an Open Water Swimmer at this level, so this is a new era in Irish swimming,” he added.