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.

Alexis Santos overjoyed with new national record

Alexis Santos shaved 46 hundredths of a second off the previous 400m medley record this week in Rio de Janeiro.

"It was the start I was dreaming of. I came here to beat my time from 2013 and I knew I could do it", said the Sporting swimmer in the press area at the Rio de Janeiro Aquatic Park, going on to reflect on his 14th place finish in a field of 27: "The hardest part is done. I know now that I am in my best form and I want to make the most of it."

Alexis Santos will next be in action on Thursday, in the 200m medley competition.

Alvalade swimmer second in Canet en Roussillon Meeting

Alexis Santos claimed the silver medal in the 200m medley at the Canet en Roussillon Meeting (France) this Thursday, after finishing just behind the Japanese swimmer, Kosuke Hagino.

The Alvalade swimmer had already won the B Final of the 50m backstroke earlier in the day.

Alvalade swimmer this time swimming in the 400m medley after mid-week bronze medal

The spotlight was certainly on Alexis Santos for this weekend's 400m medley in the European Swimming Championships, following the Sporting athlete's bronze medal in the 200m event earlier this week.

Santos was unable to repeat his podium finish, but did notch up an admirable time of 4m19s82 to finish just one place short of the final.