The pair arrived at the Olympics as world champions but finished seventh (59.19) and fourth (52.43) respectively.

“It was hard swimming in lane one and I had no idea where the other swimmers were,” said Seebohm who led at the turn.

“That’s how it is and I could not have done anymore so I am proud of myself.

“It sux a bit but that’s how it is.”

Larkin, who watched his girlfriend’s race in the change rooms before taking to the pool, said he “left everything in the pool”.

“It was a quick race and it is disappointing, but I have the 200m (backstroke) later in the week so we’ll see how we go,” he said.

“It was tough, but the 100m can come down to luck.

“The 200m is my favourite so I am looking forward to it.”

America’s Ryan Murphy won the men’s race and set an Olympic record time of 51.97 with Hungarian Katinka Hosszu winning the women’s in 58.45.