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