CAITLIN McCLATCHEY rolled back the years with a stunning performance to reach the women’s 200m freestyle Olympic final.
The former Northampton schoolgirl, who grew up in Brixworth, finished second behind world record holder Federica Pellegrini in a time of 1:57.33, qualifying for the final as sixth fastest.
Britain’s McClatchey was second at the halfway mark and upped the tempo to turn home in first position to ear-splitting roars from the home crowd.
The Brit was eventually overtaken by world champion Pellegrini, though, who touched home in 1:56.67. Missy Franklin qualified in eighth spot.
McClatchey, a double gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games in 2006, said: “I could hear the crowd the whole way through, it was incredible. I have had a really tough two years and thought about quitting but I am really enjoying it now. I have got a fantastic team at Loughborough University and without them I couldn’t have done it.”