Israeli swimmer Alon Mandel set a new national record in the swimming competition on Monday, days after the sudden death of his father.

Isreal's Alon Mandel during heat 3 of the men's 200m butterfly. [Agencies]

In the men’s 200m butterfly competition, Mandel, 19, set an Israeli record of one minute, 59.27 seconds though he missed out on a place in the semi-finals.

“After the competition, I pointed to the sky to thank my father for his support. I hope he could see it. I’m so proud to be at the Olympics,” he said.

Last Wednesday, just before the start of the Games, Mandel’s father fell while using a ladder to erect a flag in support of his son. Tragically, his injuries were fatal.

Mandel’s mother insisted that the best way her son could commemorate his father was by staying in Beijing to compete.

The new record-holder will compete in the men’s 100m butterfly on Thursday before returning to Israel two hours later to attend the postponed funeral.

“The first thing I want to do after going back to Israel is to hug my mother and sister,” Mandel added.

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