SWIMMERS SIGN OFF WITH TWO MEDAL HAUL
Britain's swimmers signed off their 10-day tour of the Mare
Nostrum circuit across Mediterranean Europe with two medals
on the final day in Rome.
World Champion James Gibson delivered Britain's first medal
with a bronze in the100m Breaststroke event.
Gibson (Loughborough University), World Champion over 50m,
swam 1:02.54 to touch in third place behind Alessandro Terrin
of Italy in 1:02.32 and winner Dmitri Komornikov of Russia
in 1:02.21.
The majority of the small British Swimming contingent is comprised
of talented youngsters looking to gain valuable experience
and they continued to shine with Lizzie Simmonds (Lincoln
Vulcans) saving one of her best swims until last to grab a
bronze medal.
The teenager took her place on the podium after finishing
third in the 100m Backstroke event in 1:03.31. Gold went to
Denmark's Louise Ornstedt in 1:01.14 and Stanislava Komarova
took the silver in 1:02.67.
Simmonds was in action again just minutes later in the 200m
Individual Medley and finished sixth in 2:22.24. Gold went
to Anja Klinar of the Ukraine in 2:17.87.
Jessica Dickons and Jemma Lowe (both Borough of Stockton)
finished fifth and eighth respectively in the 200m Butterfly.
Dickons went 2:13.85 while Lowe touched in 2:16.58. Poland's
Otylia Jedrzejczak took the gold in 2:08.93.
The small British contingent has impressed on its journey
from Barcelona, to Canet and on to Rome. Next weekend the
swimmers will be in action again in Swansea where those hoping
to be part of the next month's Montreal World Championships
squad will have to qualify.
Head coach Graham Bassi was very pleased with the final day's
results as well as the tour overall.
"The level of consistency shown by the athletes has been
impressive. The younger swimmers have risen to a new level
by thinking laterally in new environments. They've had to
change their swims and preparation yet it's worked well.
"The past 10 days have been extremely hard but rewarding
and they'll move on from here to Swansea for next weekend's
meet with a lot of confidence."
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