BROMLEY’S Ellen Gandy crashed out in the heats of the 200 metres butterfly this morning after coming to the Olympics as one of the medal favourites.

The 20-year-old made her breakthrough on the global stage last year when she won silver at the World Championships in Shanghai.

That had followed visits to the rostrum at the European Championships and Commonwealth Games in 2010.

The swimmer had endured a difficult World Championships in Rome in 2009 which she entered atop the world rankings but finished 15th over 200m and 16th in the shorter race.

Gandy was eighth in the 100m earlier this week but with the 200m her favoured event, she was expected to mount a real challenge.

The former Langley Park School for Girls pupil was on course to ease through before the final length when she fell behind and was clearly struggling to respond.

Fifth in her heat in two minutes 09.92 seconds, Gandy was 17th overall, one place outside qualification.

She said: "I felt okay at the start but after 100m I felt like I had been hit by a truck.

"I've been feeling fine, no health issues, I just don't know what happened."

There was better news for Gandy's friend Jemma Lowe who made it through in third place in 2mins 07.64secs.

The Swansea ITC swimmer said: "I'm really happy to make it into the next round, it's been pretty hard for me the last few days watching all my team-mates compete.

"I'm used to competing on the first day in the 100m. That's the best time I've done in the morning."

Of Gandy, she added: "She made the Olympic final in the 100m and that was brilliant, and she had a fantastic year last year.

"Everyone has ups and downs and I'm sure she gave it her best."