Julian Fletcher believes the disappointment with his performance at the Pan Am Games will spur him on as he looks to achieve his goal of qualifying for the Rio Olympics.

Fletcher had hoped to achieve the B standard for next year’s Olympics, but was unable to produce his best form in the 100 and 200 metres breaststroke at the Aquatics Centre at the University of Toronto Scarborough.

He did not make the 200 B final, finishing seventeenth in the heats in a time of 2min 20.97sec, although he did advance to the 100 B final, placing fifth in 1:03.60.

The 24-year-old will now turn his attention to next month’s Fina World Championships in Kazan, Russia, where he will strive to improve upon his times in Toronto.

“This meet has been a great nerve-builder and I‘ve proven to myself that I can compete at the highest level,” said the University of Southern California Elite Team swimmer.

“I’ve set such high standards for myself in order for me to succeed in reaching my goals, and I think the fact that I’m slightly disappointed in how I placed will help motivate me going forward.”

Fletcher, who had the honour of carrying Bermuda’s flag in the opening ceremony at the Rogers Centre, said he had cherished every moment of his Toronto experience.

“The Games have been very well organised, and I’m pleased with my times, although I didn’t achieve the B standard for the Olympics,” he said.

“I enjoyed every second of these Games, as it’s such an exclusive achievement to be here as an athlete. I will be continuing training to make the qualifying time for Rio, and although I have some work to do, I’m in the right spot to excel towards the qualifying standard.”

The Pan Am Games are the second major multi-sport competition of Fletcher’s career, having competed at last summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he reached the semi-finals in the 100 breaststroke.

• Tyrone Smith, the Bermuda long jumper, begins his pursuit of a Pan Am Games medal today in the qualifiers at the CIBC Pan Am Athletics Stadium.

Meanwhile, Jill Terceria and Patrick Nisbett will both be in action in the show jumping first individual qualifier at the OLG Pan Am Caledon Equestrian Park.