BRITISH star Alice Dearing said she was 'broken' after coming 19th in the 10km marathon swim in Tokyo.
The 24-year-old made history by becoming Team GB's first black female swimmer at the Olympics but after the race said: "I know I can do better."
Dearing struggled to keep in touch with the leading group throughout the seven 1.5km laps.
She dropped to 20th out of 25 at one stage but battled back to 19th before the finish line.
Speaking after the race, Birmingham-born Dearing said: "I’m pretty broken. It was really hard, a really tough race.
"I had a lot more to give than that, I’m better than that.
“It’s bittersweet. It’s incredible to race at the Olympics but I’m really disappointed with the result.
"I know I can do better. I want to go to Paris and have a better race, perform better than this."
The initial pace was lightning fast and Dearing admitted she struggled to keep up with the lead group.
She added: "I wasn’t expecting it. Constantly playing catch up for about 2km, swimming at the same pace as the leading pack but not actually with them.
"It takes a lot out of you mentally and physically, not being in it with them.
"I’ve got a lot to learn – each race is a learning curve – so I feel I have a lot of experience to gain from it. I know I’ve got a lot to give."
And speaking on her permanent place in the history books as Team GB's first ever black female swimmer, she said: "I really hope it makes a difference and people look at this and think it’s doable and for anyone out there.
“I just want people to know it is open and available to you, regardless of your race and your background.
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"If you don’t know how to swim, get in and learn to swim.
"If you want to go to the Olympics, give it your best shot – don’t let anyone tell you it’s not for you. Go chase your dreams if that’s what you want to do.”
Brazil's Ana Marcela Cunha won gold, Holland's defending champion Sharon van Rouwendaal took silver and Australian’s Kareena Lee claimed bronze.
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