Rio Olympics: Madeline Groves claims silver for Australia in 200m butterfly final

SILVER medallist Madeline Groves couldn’t wipe the smile from her face despite missing gold, and followed it up with a beautiful post-race interview.

Spain's Mireia Belmonte Garcia just edges out Madeline Groves competes in the final of the women's 200-meter butterfly.

BRISBANE butterflyer Madeline Groves has come within a whisker of snatching a memorable Olympic gold medal, claiming silver in a thrilling 200m butterfly final by just 0.03s.

In a swim of pure bravery by Groves, she led by almost a full second at the first 50m but then had to withstand pressure from Spain’s Mireia Belmonte Garcia who came immediately charging towards her as the race became a battle between two.

The two waged a head-to-head battle all the way down the final 50m and it appeared the Spaniard had the race won until Groves made another late charge.

In the end it came down to a desperate lunge for the wall with Belmonte Garcia just getting her hand on the wall first in a time of 2:04.85, with Groves taking silver in 2:04.88.

“I did awesome, I don’t know what my splits were, but I left everything in the pool,” a beaming Groves told Channel Seven in an emotional poolside interview.

“I’m really, really happy with how I went.

“It’s been a bloody awesome time for me, I could have come last in that race, it doesn’t matter I’m so happy.”

It was enough to warm the hearts of her fans back home.

Maddy Groves is just the cutest❤️ #Olympics #Rio2016

— Jessica Ivers (@jivebong) August 11, 2016

MADDY GROVES!!! What an amazing swim & a great post-race interview! #Silver #Rio2016 #Swimming

— Sharna Bremner (@sharnatweets) August 11, 2016

Oh bless Maddy Groves! Imagine swimming your best ever at the #olympics for a silver and being so close. CONGRATULATIONS ❤️👏🏼

— oh errol (@oherrol) August 11, 2016

Madeline Groves wins Silver. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Japan’s world champion Natsumi Hoshi claimed the bronze medal in 2:05.20.