Laura Stephens qualified for her first Olympic final ahead of a busy-looking Thursday for Britain's swimmers at La Defense Arena.
In a quieter Wednesday finals session for Team GB, Stephens opened the night up for the Brits with a solid lane one swim in the first of the Women's 200m Butterfly heats, securing her that place in a maiden Olympic final.
The Loughborough Performance Centre athlete - who won this event at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha - showed good control as the leading pack in her semi-final went clear, holding her race pace well to sit fifth for the majority of the race and clock a time that put her in contention ahead of the second semi-final - dropping three seconds from her morning heat.
That second semi-final race would feature GB teammate Keanna MacInnes, and she actually placed fourth in her contest as she continues to gain priceless experience in the Olympic arena on her Games debut. But with that contest much slower than the first semi, it was Stephens who booked lane eight for Thursday's final, with MacInnes just missing out in ninth.
"That was 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," said Laura.
"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."
The other Brit in action on night five at La Defense Arena was Oliver Morgan, who was looking to make his second Olympic final after placing eighth in the world in the 100m Backstroke earlier in the meet.
In his 200m Backstroke semi-final, the University of Birmingham man took the race out hard to sit second at the first turn and fourth at the halfway, before ultimately placing sixth in his heat and 12th overall.
Morgan, though, will be back in relay action to round out a memorable maiden Games experience for him in Paris.
"It was a tough one but I’m happy to be in there, to enjoy the experience. It wasn’t as fast as I wanted to be but it’s racing. It’s not every day you get to race such a top-class field. To even be in there is a real privilege and it’s about enjoying the moment and taking in the crowds," he said.
"It’s surreal to be here and there are a lot of GB flags out there so it’s really good to see."
Earlier in the day, Tokyo bronze medallist Luke Greenbank looked to have clocked the fastest time in the heats of that Men's 200m Backstroke - but he was unfortunately disqualified for going past 15m on the start.