Swimmer Emma Harvey proved she belongs on the world stage when breaking a national record twice in one day and competing in her first final at a major games.

Harvey initially broke the 100 metres backstroke record in the morning heats with a time of 1min 2.42sec, knocking 0.2sec off the time set by Kiera Aitken at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

That superb performance was enough for her to qualify for the final but one record a day is seemingly not enough for Harvey, who knocked another 0.07sec off her best when finishing eighth in the biggest race of her life.

Just after the final, Harvey, who had won the 100 metres butterfly B final a day earlier, revealed that her confidence has soared with the knowledge that she has what it takes to mix with the world’s elite swimmers.

“I think confidence is the thing that I have struggled with most,” Harvey said.

“I started doing these big international meets late so at the Commenwealth Games and the world championships I definitely suffered a lot from imposter syndrome.

“Although I would tell myself back then that of course I belonged there, now I feel a lot more secure in myself and I feel like I can walk around with a lot more confidence and that makes a big difference in my performance.”

It’s tough to make sure you execute your race plan when you are competing at the highest level for the first time but Harvey felt the pressure was off in the final after her stellar first swim

“I’m a bit disappointed not to move up in the standings but I’m really pleased,” Harvey said.

“Coming into this meet, I wasn’t really sure where I was going to be so to take out my best time is really good and I’m super pleased.

“For the final I was just more excited about it than anything else. Maybe because this is my fourth race and I had a great swim in the morning, but it felt like the pressure was off a little bit.

“It was so fun and it was so cool as I know a lot of those girls in the race and was excited to race alongside them.

“It was so fun I struggled to get out of the pool. I chose the wrong route but it was really cool and the Chilean crowd are amazing. This is by far the most fun I’ve had at a meet and the atmosphere is just unparalleled.”

Harvey is back in the pool today for the 50 metres freestyle and is unsure what to expect.

“50 free is fun but also nerve-wracking as there really is no room for error, but I’ve surprised myself so far this week, so hopefully there is another one in store for tomorrow,” she said.

“I haven’t had a ton of experience racing it and I only started competing in it recently, but my strongest race is 50 back, which isn’t in these Games, so hopefully the speed will help me get through tomorrow, but I’m feeling super positive right now.”

Harvey’s record-breaking day comes off the back of her B final win on Sunday and Conor White’s bronze-medal performance in the cycling time trial yesterday, with chef de mission Julia Hawley thrilled with the level the team is reaching

“I am so pleased and for everybody on the team,” Hawley said.

“To win a medal and to have two national records, we could not have asked for more. That is the athletes performing at their very best, so hopefully it means that I’ve done a good job and taken all the noise away from them to allow them to focus on their events.

“We’re just immensely proud of everyone. For Conor to get on the podium is incredible. At the level of these Games it is an incredible thing and to see our flag raised and to be part of that experience is awesome, and then today for Emma to deliver two national records in a day is fantastic.”

“I’m so happy for the athletes a I know how hard they work and they want to see that hard work translate into amazing performances and they have, so that’s awesome.”

Many people back at home would have expected a party atmosphere in the athletes’ village on Sunday night but Hawley was quick to correct those thoughts but emphasise how important the team is to the Bermudian athletes.

“We were so exhausted yesterday that everyone just went to bed but they had a great day today, just relaxed and cooled down,” Hawley said.

“We have a team chat because these games are an in-and-out Games, not everyone can be here to be part of it, so we are just making sure that we have a team chat everybody can participate in with pictures and everyone feels part of this.

“It is elevating everyon’es personal vibes and I think this is just going to keep going and we could be in line for great performances from everyone.”