Frustrated Freya Colbert insists she is desperate to ‘break the curse’ after narrowly missing out on a medal at the Olympics.

The Grantham swimming star, 20, finished an agonising fourth in her women’s 400m individual medley final on Monday night as she was pipped to bronze by American Emma Weyant.

On her debut at the Games, reigning world champion Colbert delivered an admirable display to navigate her way to the final at a raucous La Defense Arena but was unable to get amongst the medals as Canadian Summer McIntosh grabbed gold.

Colbert had watched British teammate Max Litchfield finish fourth in his men’s 400m individual medley 24 hours earlier and says the experience of falling short can act as further motivation for the future.

“After watching Max last night, I really wanted to bring it home for the team and my coach,” she said.

“I’m obviously disappointed – no one comes fourth and is happy about it.

“Hopefully I can break the curse – I’m still young so hopefully another competition will be my day.

“I was confident in training coming in and I believed I could put down and personal best and let the medal come to me, but it wasn’t a PB.

“I know I gave everything that I had in that race but it’s just disappointing.”

Colbert catapulted herself into the limelight at this year’s World Championships in Doha where she stormed to a sensational gold medal at the age of just 19.

And after following that up with victory at the Olympic trials in London, her place on the train to Paris was secure.

Away from the pool, multi-talented Colbert is an active YouTuber and regularly shares content documenting her swimming journey.

She will now turn her attention to the relay events at La Defense Arena, a stunning venue and one where American pop superstar Taylor Swift kicked off her hotly-anticipated Eras tour.

Colbert added: “It’s such an amazing crowd and arena – some of the really experienced guys on the team have said it’s one of their favourite pools they’ve ever swam in, so that’s such a cool experience.

“I feel really strong and confident for the 4x200m relay, so we’re all really excited and feel like we can put down a good swim and see where we end up.

“But I was hoping to start on a high rather than end on a high.”

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