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Heartache for SA's Brown as Cameron progresses

Rio de Janeiro - Swimming at the 2016 Olympics got off to a flying start in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday as Britain's Adam Peaty set a new world record in the 100m Breaststroke.

There was heartache, meanwhile, for South Africa's Myles Brown, who missed out on a place in the 400m Freestyle final by 0.49 seconds.

It was always going to be a tough ask for Brown as 50 swimmers fought it out over seven heats for the eight slots available in Saturday night's final.

He rose to the occasion by setting a new South African record with a time of 3:45:92, but it was not to be enough. 

Brown finished 12th fastest as he went crashing out.

South Africa did not have to wait long to see their first competitor in the pool. 

It came in the form of 23-year-old Michael Meyer, who finished 5th in his 400m Individual Medley heat. 

With four heats taking place and the fastest eight times qualifying for Saturday night's final, Meyer's 4:18:13 was nowhere near enough. 

South Africa also had Sebastien Rousseau in the final heat of the 400m IM, but he finished 7th in a time of 4:18:72 to ensure his elimination. 

The shining light was Cameron van der Burgh - the 2012 Olympic champion cruising through to finish second in his 100m Breastroke heat in a time of 59:35 and progress through to the semi-finals. 

Van der Burgh was 7th fastest overall, while Peaty was quickest after he broke the world record in a time of 57:55.

Lloyd Burnard is Sport24's correspondent in Rio de Janeiro for the duration of the 2016 Olympics ...

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