athens2004

british records fall in athens

David Davies led the way as three British records were set in the heats on the penultimate day of competition in the Olympic pool. Davies’ 14:57.03 in the 1500m was the fastest ever heats swim and was swiftly followed by medley relay records for both the men’s and women’s squads as all three booked their place in tomorrow’s finals.
Davies looked in total control throughout his heat swim and heads into the final as the fastest qualifier, with an excellent medal chance. He will be joined in the top eight by Graeme Smith who qualified in 7th place in 15:07.45.
Meanwhile the Ladies medley relay team of Sarah Price, Kirsty Balfour, Georgina Lee and Melanie Marshall lowered the British record to 4:05.63, qualifying for the final 6th. The men’s team of Gregor Tait, James Gibson, James Hickman and Matthew Kidd went even better, qualifying third fastest with a new British record of 3:36.94, an improvement of 1.27 seconds from the old mark.
There was less success in the finals session however. World Champion Katy Sexton trailed home a disappointing 8th in the final of the 200m backstroke, well off her best time, while Rebecca Cooke was also unable to produce her best coming home in sixth in the 800m freestyle. Elsewhere Allison Sheppard’s Olympic career looks to have come to an end as she went out at the semi final stage of the 50m freestyle.