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Key:

• Sydney: 2000 Olympic Games
• Fukuoka: 2001 Long Course World Championships
• Moscow: 2002 Short Course World Championships

women's individual medley

Although it may not be the most glamorous of events in terms of the Commonwealth games, Commonwealth swimmers make up 3 or 4 of the top 10 in the current rankings, and as such should provide some excellent racing in both medley events. As usual, of those visiting swimmers the Australians and Canadians will be the main contenders, and they have been helped by some other top swimmers not competing. South Africa's Mandy Loots is one prime example, being ranked 5th in the Commonwealth this year for the 400IM, but not being swimming that event

Of the leading contenders, Jennifer Reilly will renew her 1998 rivalry with Canadian Liz Warden. Only 14 in Kuala Lumpur, Reilly won the bronze in the 400 IM behind Warden who took silver and anther Canadian, Joanne Malar, who will not be defending her title. Reilly has definitely built on that experience since, with an Olympic final appearance in front of a home crowd in 2000 and a strong showing at this years world short course championships.

By comparison, since the 1998 games, Warden has been conspicuous by her absence from international competition, having not been competed at that level since the 1999 pan pacific championships. She has however burst back onto the scene, recording some impressive times this year to leave her top of the Commonwealth rankings in the 200IM and second only to Reilly in the longer event.

Those two swimmers will definitely be the ones to beat, but don't count out another Canadian Marianne Limpert. She's been around on the international stage for 12 years but is till in fine form, being ranked 6th and finishing 9th in the 200IM at last years worlds. In the 400IM New Zealand's Elizabeth Van Welie is ranked 3rd in that event and in the absence of the experienced Helen Norfolk will be a be a big hope for a kiwi medal. She is however almost 3 seconds down on Warden's 2nd ranked time and only marginally ahead of 4th, so will therefore need to swim to her best form to take a podium finish

In domestic terms, Holly Fox remains England's best hope of a final spot in the 400IM, currently being ranked 6th, but she will need to threaten Sharron Davies 22 year old British record to get amongst the medals. The 200IM provides Nova Centurion's Kathryn Evans with a chance to build on her previous international experienced. She's ranked 7th and should be looking for a final place.