KEY POINTS

  • The 2012 medallists produced an emphatic performance in their semi-final to qualify.
  • Rachel Cawthorn failed to qualify for the Women's Kayak Single 500m final.

Great Britain's Liam Heath and Jon Schofield have qualified for the Men's Kayak Double 200m Olympic final with an emphatic win in their semi-final race. The duo, who won a bronze medal in the same event at London 2012, produced an excellent performance to ensure they will be in a favourable lane for the final on Thursday (18 August).

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The Brits sped off the start-line in impressive fashion in their semi-final and always looked to be in control of the race. The dominant nature of their performance will have given them great hope of matching or even bettering their performance in London four years ago.

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Earlier in the day, Heath and Schofield passed up the chance to qualify directly for the final, finishing third in their heat behind the Spanish pair. However, the Brits' performance was markedly better in the semi-final and will have given them confidence going into the final.

Meanwhile, Great Britain's Rachel Cawthorn has failed to qualify for the Women's Kayak Single 500m final. The 27-year-old canoer, who also appeared at London 2012, needed to finish in the top two in order to make the final, but could only finish in sixth position in her semi-final.