DAVIES RACES FROM HOSPITAL TO EUROPEAN PODIUM
Britain's David Davies added European silver to his international
role of honours despite the fact that just a week ago he was
lying in a hospital bed.
The Olympic and World medallist added the 1500m Freestyle
silver at the European Championships in Eindhoven despite
undergoing an intensive course of intravenous antibiotics
last weekend following the early identification of a foot
infection.
Davies underwent four days of vital treatment every four
hours before surgeons were confident enough to give him the
green light to travel to Holland and race.
The brave City of Cardiff swimmer gave a strong performance
at the Tongelreep Pool, despite the lingering effects of such
treatment, to finish in 14:54.28. Gold went to Yury Prilukov
of Russia in a new Championship Record of 14:50.40 and World
Champion Mateusz Sawrymowicz of Poland took the bronze in
14:58.78.
"This time last week I was lying in a hospital bed with
a foot the size of a football," said Davies. "It
didn't look good at all and to be honest I was very worried
about my Olympic year rather than this meet.
"The care I received from University Hospital, Cardiff
was excellent and it's down to their efforts that I stood
on the podium tonight. They were simply fantastic and to get
the all clear on Monday was an amazing feeling.
"I missed four days out of the water coming into the
event so to add another international medal given such a strong
field is very pleasing, I knew it would be a good race and
I'm delighted with the silver."
Davies took the race out hard to 400m before Prilukov began
to make his move. The Russian took to the front at the half
way mark to set the pace but Davies hung on closely before
settling for the silver.
"This past week only really sank in when I touched the
wall. It's all been such a blur - the treatment, travelling
here, racing hard and then getting a medal. I'm only really
absorbing it now and it's surreal," said Davies
"I've given myself a pat on the back for making to Eindhoven
and what was for me a real gutsy swim."
In the Women's 200m Breaststroke, Kirsty Balfour lost her
European title when she finished fifth in a time of 2:28.06.
But it came as no surprise to the City of Edinburgh swimmer
who has just come off the back of heavy training and isn't
rested for Eindhoven.
Balfour, already selected for the Beijing Olympics, will
be looking to add the 100m event at the British trials which
start in Sheffield in just over a week's time.
"I felt tired out there," said Balfour. "My
preparation isn't geared to racing fast this week, my focus
is Sheffield in eight days time when I want to be at my peak.
"It's a shame to lose the European crown but this year
is all about the Olympics. That's when I want to be in the
best shape of my life."
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