Alexis Santos on his historic medal win

Alexis Santos won only Portugal's second international swimming medal this week, with a fantastic performance in the 200m medley in London.

The Alvalade athlete spent almost the entire race out of the medal spots, before pulling back into third with a personal best and new national record.

“I hope that this makes Portuguese swimmers believe it is possible", said the 24-year old swimmer, going on to affirm the importance of hard work and Portugal's potential to perform on the international stage.

Alvalade swimmers representing Portugal in Budapest later this month

The Sporting CP swimmers Alexis Santos and Guilherme Pina will represent Portugal at the World Championships, taking place from the 23rd to the 30th of June in Budapest (Hungary).

Alvalade swimmer claims 400m medley title in Canet Meeting

The Sporting CP athlete Alexis Santos topped the podium in the 400m medley event at the Canet Meeting in France this weekend, with a time of 4:21.48.

Santos will also try his luck in the 50m butterfly and 200m medley. 

Alvalade swimmer sets new time of 53.06 to break seven-year record

The Sporting CP swimming superstar Alexis Santos set a new national 100m medley record this week, with a time of 53.06 at the World Swimming Championships in Canada.

The Alvalade athlete beat the record set by Diogo Carvalho seven years ago and finished in 10th place overall.

Alexis Santos claims an historic semi-final place for Portugal after 28-year absence

Alexis Santos has put in an admirable performance in Rio 2016, claiming a semi-final spot for Portugal in the 200m medley.

The Sporting eventually finished in 12th overall, in what was his Olympic debut. Reflecting on his performance, Santos hopes to have triggered a wave of popularity in the sport in Portugal: "For a long time the country hasn't had a swimmer in the top-16 and I hope that changes now. I am really happy with where I finished, but a bit disappointed with my time (2:00.08). It is midnight here and I have only just got out of the pool, but that is no excuse. I know I could have done better."

Sporting swimmer just one race off 200m medley final

The Sporting swimmer Alexis Santos earned a place in the Rio 2016 200m medley semi-finals this week, with a time of 1:59.67.

Santos is in unbelievable form, having secured three of the four best times in the competition, bettered just ones by Michael Phelps.