It was a sad experience, he told Danish reporters afterwards. It felt really good the first 500 metres, I had to hold close to Sun Yang [the current world champion] in his waves, but then I could just not keep up anymore.

The others withdrew from me really quickly, I could not keep up, and both technique and strength did not work and then there was not much more I could do.

This week, Joensen has had a TV crew and two radio stations following his every move at the Aquatics Centre. There has, though, been a stumbling block for the small media circus. As they are not IOC accredited, theyve had to wait for coach and swimmer to sneak out of the venue so that interviews can be catered for.

Considering the Faroe Islands' penchant for losing European football encounters by a country mile, Joensen is naturally revered in his country. Despite his failure here, he still will be on his return.

Things are looking good and we havent prepared for anything other than this, so it better work out, Joensens coach and trainer, Jon Bjarnason, told The Telegraph before the 1500m heats.

When a Faroes' sportsman of the year award was inaugurated a few years ago, public popularity saw him win it three years in a row. But organisers soon spoilt the party and scrapped the award. Comically, a footballer of the year award was instilled in its place.

Joensen trains in a 25m pool at his local club Suuroyar Svimjifelag in Vgur. So how come Joensen is in a position to race for a medal at these Games when he trains in the smallest pool to compete at the sports longest event?

People always say that, said Bjarnason. We had 14 days of long course training before Shanghai and Pal came fourth. So it can be done.

Bjarnason is referring to his fourth place at the World Championships in China last year. It was a breakthrough swim and he narrowly missed out on a medal despite being third with only 100m left. No one was expecting it and the commentators had no idea who he was, Bjarnason, 42, adds.

You have to have certain physical attributes at this level. His buoyancy (ability to float on the water), mental strength and muscle fibre combination is essential.

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London 2012 Olympics: Faroe Islands swimmer Pal Joensen 'flops horribly' but still revered as country's greatest