David Davies elevated himself to the highest echelons of 1500m swimming as he took a sensational Olympic bronze medal in the fastest race ever seen. The young Welshman set a new European Record and destroyed his own British record by almost 12 seconds, coming home in 14:45.95.

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 heat swim and was swiftly followed by medley relay records for both the men’s and women’s squads

James Goddard won and lost an Olympic bronze medal inside a topsy-turvy thirty minute period at the Olympic Aquatic Centre last night. Goddard was promoted after race winner Aaron Peirsol was disqualified forbefore the American was reinstated on a technicality.

James Goddard produced the swim of his life to qualify second fastest for the men’s 200m backstroke final on day 5 of competition in Athens, setting a British record into the bargain. Teammate Gregor Tait also claimed a finals berth, but the backstroke pair were the only British swimmers to progress.

Stephen Parry took Britain’s first medal in the pool with a superb effort over 200m butterfly as he again improved his Commonwealth record on his way to the bronze medal. Meanwhile there was a British record for the men’s 4x200m freestyle team.