• London 2012 - Swimming

World record denies Jamieson gold

It took a world record to beat Michael Jamieson © PA Photos

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Michael Jamieson smashed the British record to grab a silver medal for Great Britain in the final of the men's 200m breaststroke at London 2012.

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Jamieson, who broke the British record when qualifying fastest for Wednesday's final, was always in contention and, had it not been for the strong finish of Hungary's Daniel Gyurta, gold would have been his.

Double Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima set a furious pace from the outset and had his sights on a new world record at the halfway mark. However, Gyurta, known for his fast finish, grew into the race the further it went on and, as Kitajima tired, he took up the lead.

Jamieson stayed with the man next to him in lane five and he looked to be chasing him down as they entered the final few strokes. However, Gyurta had enough in the tank to hold on, clocking a new world record of 2:07.28, with Jamieson touching in 2:07.43 for silver.

Jamieson's team-mate and training partner Andrew Willis, the English record holder who qualified third quickest for the showpiece, finished a disappointing eighth.

"I loved it," Jamieson told BBC Sport. "I had a little more to give after last night. It's so much easier to swim with a bit of confidence behind you. I was desperate to get on the podium tonight to repay the faith and support we've had. I forgot about the time tonight - it was more tactical. I tried to stay on Gyurta's shoulder for the first hundred. I wanted to have everything on the line.

"I had planned for this night and that helped with the nerves beforehand. For so many years I have gone over this in my head."

Ryan Lochte got the better of American rival Michael Phelps to win their 200m individual medley semi-final. Phelps led after his favoured butterfly but Lochte soon reeled him in, pulling away on the final freestlye length - although Phelps appeared to ease off the gas - to win in 1:56.13. Phelps trailed in 1:57.11 and Britain's James Goddard came home in third in 1:58.49. Laszlo Cseh won the second semi but there was woe for Britain's Joe Roebuck as he failed to join Goddard in the final.

Lochte was earlier involved in the 200m backstroke semis, which he breezed through in order to book a spot in the final. The world champion won his race in a time of 1:55.40 but held plenty in reserve.

American Nathan Adrian claimed his maiden major individual title, winning by the minimum distance (0.01s) from Australian James Magnussen for gold in the men's 100m freestyle final.

World record holder Cesar Cielo flew out of the blocks but as he faded a head-to-head emerged between Adrian and the much-fancied Magnussen, the 2011 world champion. A fascinating battle ensued, with Magnussen appearing to have the edge as they entered the last 10m. However, Adrian, with head down, refused to yield, touching first in 47.52. Canada's Brent Hayden completed the rostrum.

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