TAIT SMASHES COMMONWEALTH RECORD ON WAY TO BEIJING
Britain's top swimmers continued to impress at the British
Swimming Championships (50m) as they strive to achieve their
dream of meeting the selection criteria for this year's Olympic
Games.
In order to make the Olympic team, athletes must finish in
first or second place in the final of their event and have
met the FINA 'A' time for that event in the heat.
The men's 200m Backstroke saw three athletes battling it
out to reach the top two spots after they all met the FINA
'A' qualifying time in the heat.
Gregor Tait (City of Edinburgh) and James Goddard (Loughborough
University) went into the final as the two most experienced
athletes - both with an Olympic Games under their belt.
Goddard was the first to the wall at 50m with an impressive
first lap, but Tait showed his determination and power to
touch first at the 150m mark and build a lead over Goddard.
Tait swam an excellent final 50m to take the British title
after finishing in 1:56.67, this not only put him up for consideration
for nomination to this year's Olympic squad but his time also
broke the Commonwealth record.
"I'm happy with my swim, and a new personal best after
breaking the British record yesterday," he said.
"I went out too hard in the heats yesterday and didn't
have much left in the tank at the end of the race so I was
much better paced today."
Goddard finished just behind Tait to take the silver medal
with a time of 1:56.82. Bronze was taken by Marco Loughran
(Guildford City) in 1:58.34.
Kate Hawood (Loughborough University) went into this morning's
final as the fastest qualifier and looked confident as she
took to the blocks.
The new British record holder carved out an early lead and
touched first after 50m, her turn was just inside the British
record time, but entering the final 50m City of Edinburgh
swimmer Kirsty Balfour began pushing Haywood all the way.
Balfour swam an impressive final 25m as she began closing
the gap on the leader, but Haywood's power was too much for
Balfour as Haywood touched home in 1:07.84 to take the gold
medal.
"I'm so happy," Haywood said. "I was really
pleased with my swim last night and today I tried not to think
about swimming quickly but just concentrating on where I was
in the race.
"I went out fast in the first 50m and held for the final
50m and am just so pleased to have done it."
Balfour had to settle for silver after finishing in 1:08.05.
Bronze was taken by Georgia Holdreness in 1:08.76.
Loughborough University's Ross Davenport ensured he met the
selection criteria for his second Olympic Games after winning
the men's 200m Freestyle final by almost a second.
With three other athletes meeting the FINA 'A' qualification
time in the heats Davenport was pushed all the way for his
victory. At the 50m mark City of Aberdeen swimmer Robbie Renwick
touched first with a split time of 25.14.
But Davenport pushed hard through the next 50m to take the
lead after a split time of 52.54. The Commonwealth champion
increased his lead to over half a second in the final 50m
and touched home in a time of 1:47.66.
"I'm relieved to have won, you can't look forward to
something you have not achieved yet and I am over the moon,"
Davenport said.
"It's now time to get back into the pool and prepare
for what comes next."
Renwick kept himself in contention of Olympic nomination
with a promising swim and secured the silver medal with a
time of 1:48.29.
David Carry (Aberdeen Dolphins) took the bronze medal after
touching in 1:48.54.
The women's 50m Freestyle saw Fran Halsall (City of Liverpool)
achieve her second nomination for this year's Team GB after
powering to victory in this morning's final.
She looked in charged of the race throughout and gave herself
a good lead over the first 25m, she showed her sprint ability
as she touched home in 24.79 to take the gold medal.
"I'm really happy with that and I really enjoyed that
race," she said. "It's great to have qualified and
am really looking forward to going to Beijing.
"I'm going to go and get some rest and prepare for the
100m Butterfly tonight but I am feeling relaxed.
"I've got six events in my programme at this event so
I'm looking forward to the rest of the week."
Katy Sexton (Portsmouth) finished in second place to take
silver with 25.51, while bronze went to Emma Wilkins (Plymouth
Leander) in 25.90.
The women's 200m Individual Medley final saw 19-year-old
Hannah Miley achieve her dream of meeting the selection criteria
to be considered for nomination to the British Olympic squad.
It was Stockport Metro's Keri-Anne Payne that started the
strongest and built herself a good lead over the three other
athletes that had achieved the FINA 'A' qualifying time. Payne
looked strong across first 100m, but on the Breaststroke lap
Miley began pulling back.
Garioch's Miley touched first at the 150m mark and looked
impressive across the final 50m to secure her gold medal in
a time of 2:12.17.
Payne got the silver medal after touching in a time of 2:12.43,
City of Birmingham's Terri Dunning won the bronze medal in
2:14.35.
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