North Shropshire's Hector Pardoe came sixth in the men's open water swimming marathon in the River Seine at the Paris Olympic Games today.

The former Ellesmere College student was part of a field of swimmers which took on the waters in the French capital for the first time in a century.

The race was won by Kristof Rasovszky of Hungary who was second in Tokyo three years ago,  in a time of one hour 50 minutes 52 seconds, just 2.1 seconds ahead of Germany's Oliver Klemet while Hungary's David Betlehem took bronze.

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It was a strong effort by Pardoe, who is originally from Whitchurch and swam for Whitchurch Wasps, and who won bronze in the World Championships last year, after he was forced out of the Tokyo Games on the final lap when his goggles split.

Pardoe was caught in a crowd of swimmers over the first lap and crossed the line in 14th place, but managed to work his way into the top 10 midway through the second turn.

However he could not challenge Rasovszky, who led from the off, with the iconic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower and Grand Palais.

Florian Wellbrock of Germany, who took gold in Tokyo, challenged the Hungarian at the front of the field but dropped away with a lap remaining.

It was Klemet who emerged as the nearest challenger over the final lap but Rasovszky held on in a sprint finish to take gold, while Betlehem made it two Hungarians on the podium.

Almost a minute down on the leaders, Pardoe claimed sixth in a photo finish with home favourite Marc-Antoine Olivier.