Oppressive heat, murky pool water, substandard accommodation, lengthy journeys to and from the pool each day and the small issue of widespread food poisoning. When you sum up the worst of the conditions that faced swimmers in Delhi you could be forgiven for thinking that the competition was less of an international championship and instead was one of Bill Sweetenham’s “toughening up” exercises. That said, Delhi ultimately provided a successful Commonwealth Games.

Britain’s swimmers may be split up into their constituent nations on their way to Delhi, but in general terms the teams roll into the Commonwealth games brimming with confidence following a successful showing at the European Championships earlier this summer.