Pardoe was the first one to secure an Olympic spot in 2h02m7s5, and was closely followed by Athanasios Kynigakis of Greece who came second for silver in 2h02m13s0.
Tobias Robinson claimed bronze in 2h02m13s0 (photo finish differentiated the second and third place).

With a big smile on his face, Pardoe said: “It was hard, very waved from the start. But I just tried to conserve enough energy for the sprint finish because in a wetsuit I knew it was going to come all the way down to that last 190m. And I was hurting at the orange buoy’s so much, I just had the goal of the Olympics and I had so much lactic acid but I just kept pushing through and then touched and screamed.”

“Tokyo, definitely, in my head now! Go back to training, four more weeks and then yeah Tokyo,” he concluded. 

FULL RESULTS

Just minutes before going on the podium, the Greek silver medallist said: “I am very, very happy. It will be my first time at the Olympics. I am very excited!”

He added: “Yes it was a difficult race, I think it was a dangerous race because there were big waves and a lot of people. I want to go back to Greece, to Athens. I am excited and I am looking forward to being part of the Olympics. And maybe I will go to Athens and do some more trainings. We will see.”

RACE HIGHLIGHTS

Another twelve swimmers also clinched an Olympic ticket today in Setubal*. Among those are 2012 Olympic champion Oussama Mellouli (TUN), Tiago Campos (POR) and Kirill Abrosimov (RUS). In addition, four athletes representing continental qualification were selected today. These are Matej Kozubek (CZE) for the Europe slot, Hau-Li Fan (CAN) for the America slot, Phillip Seidler (NAM) for the Africa slot and William Thorley (HKG) for the Asia slot. 

On day 2 of the Qualifier, FINA President Captain Al-Musallam addressed again the swimmers and said: “On behalf of FINA, I would like to thank you all, the athletes and the participants today, for this Olympic Qualification. You have really shown your strength during these difficult times of the pandemic, and you are ready for this day.”

“Winning is important but taking part in this important event amid these difficult times that the world is facing, not only in sport but in all other fields and sectors, show that sport is always bringing hope. Hope for humanity, hope for society that normal life will come back. We are here with FINA supporting you. We want to listen to you and I thank your coaches who really play an important part, and also the referees here today whom are ready for your race.”

“On behalf of all of you, I thank the city of Setubal and the Portuguese Swimming Federation for taking this challenge during these difficult times to host this event for you.”

Open water is always an important event in the aquatic calendar and as the newly elected President I promise you I will be very close to you, to your coaches and referees. I want to listen to everybody. If you have any opinion, or point you would like to discuss that could help FINA, I am ready to listen. Thank you very much and good luck today. I will be watching you, enjoy the race. Thank you very much!”
By H. Al-Musallam

Medallists in Setubal

MEN
1. Hector PARDOE (GBR) 2h02m07s5
2. Athanasios KYNIGAKIS (GRE) 2h02m13s0
3. Tobia ROBINSON (GBR) 2h02m13s0 - not qualified

*Qualified men for Tokyo 2020
Hector PARDOE (GBR) - 1st FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier
Athanasios KYNIGAKIS (GRE) - 2nd FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier
Matan RODITI (ISR) - 4th FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier
Kai Graeme EDWARDS (AUS) - 5th FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier
Taishin MINAMIDE (JPN) - 6th FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier
Tiago CAMPOS (POR) - 7th FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier
Kirill ABROSIMOV (RUS) - 8th FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier
David FARINANGO (ECU) - 9th FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier
Oussama MELLOULI (TUN) - 10th FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier
Michael McGLYNN (RSA) - 11th FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier
Daniel DELGADILLO (MEX) - 12th FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier

Continental qualification 
Matej KOZUBEK (CZE)  - Europe slot - 18th FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier
Hau-Li FAN (CAN) - America slot - 18th FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier
Philip SEIDLER (NAM) - Africa slot - 25th FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier
William Yan THORLEY (HKG) - Asia slot - 26th FINA Olympic Marathon Swim Qualifier