The 20-year-old from Hart Station, who is based in Britain's swimming centre in Australia, failed in his bid to qualify from the 1,500 metres freestyle.

Alderton finished third in yesterday's final at the British Championships in Sheffield, which double as the Olympic trials.

Chris had been hoping to join teenage sensation, Jemma Lowe, who qualified for two events in China.

Lowe, who turned 18 during the championships, won the 200m butterfly title and won silver in the 100m butterfly, where she had the satisfaction of bettering her British record.

Alderton was always up against it in his attempt to clinch a place in the 1,500 metres.

David Davies, a medallist in Athens four years ago, had already booked his spot which meant that the best of the rest were chasing just one position.

Alderton finished third fastest in Friday's heats, but was well adrift of the quickest swimmer, Hatfield's Richard Charlesworth, and second placed Daniel Fogg (Loughborough).

And the pattern sadly was repeated in the final yesterday morning on the last day of competition at Ponds Forge.

Charlesworth won in a time of 15minutes 10.99 seconds, but was pushed all the way by Fogg (15:12.85).

Chris had started out quickly and led the field after the first 100, 200 and 300 metres.

However, by the 400-metre split Alderton had found himself pushed down into third and unfortunately could not make an impression on the top two swimmers.

Chris came home in 15:29.08 to clinch the bronze medal, finishing eight seconds ahead of Swansea's Gareth Keating.

Alderton will not have been too disheartened, having said in an interview with SportMail before the championships that London in 2012 was his main goal.

"My main aim is for the London Olympics and it always has been," said Chris who was hoping these championships would be "a good learning experience" and "the first step on the ladder."