A SWIMMER from Wrexham is set to challenge for a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris tonight (July 1).

Laura Stephens has officially booked her place in the final of the 200m butterfly of Paris 2024.

Stephens claimed the world title in Doha earlier this year, but only qualified 14th fastest for the semi-finals.

But when the moment came, she found her form, finishing in a time of 2:07.53 in the first semi-final, before enduring a nervy wait to find out if she had done enough.

She had, and will now come back for a maiden Olympic final.

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Ahead of the final, which takes place tonight at around 7.30pm UK time, Stephens said: “That a bit of an anxious wait. I’m just so chuffed to have pulled it around from this morning. It was not the heat I wanted. I knew I needed to step it up tonight and it was difficult doing it from an outside lane but I’m just so happy I managed it.

“There were a few things within the race that I had to improve from the morning. Use my arms more, which sounds really stupid and a silly reminder to have. I just wasn’t applying enough pressure this morning. I was just making sure I was long, strong, forward and it was a lot better execution of the race.

“Now I’m into that Olympic final, I’m over the moon. I’m a bit teary, but I’ll get my emotions under wraps and get ready to go tomorrow night.”

It has been some year already for Stephens, who claimed a brilliant gold medal at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Doha in February.

Then, in April, she was at the STōK Cae Ras to see her beloved Wrexham AFC clinch promotion to League One with a thumping 6-0 triumph over Forest Green Rovers.