Britain’s swimmers have clocked up more medals at the World Championships in Rome with a silver from Fran Halsall in the 100m freestyle and another from Jo Jackson in the 800m freestyle.
Nineteen year old Halsall, who was picked as one to watch by Karen Pickering in her exclusive World Championships preview for Sportsister, finished second behind Germany’s Britta Steffen.
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Halsall finished in 52.87, behind Steffen’s world record breaking time of 52.07. Libby Trickett of Australia was third in 52.93. Halsall has also qualified for the 50m freestyle final.
In the 800m freestyle Jo Jackson won her second silver of the championships after finishing second in the 400m freestyle earlier in the week. But double gold Olympic medalist Rebecca Adlington was left in tears after a fourth place finish.
Denmark’s Lotte Friis took gold in the event while Italy’s Alessia Filippi just pipped Adlington to secure bronze. Friis had managed to open up a large lead and the half way point and it took a very strong finish from Jackson to claim the silver medal.
“It was so tough out there,” Jackson said. “All the girls just went out so hard and I found it so hard to keep up. Me and Rebecca have had a tough week. It has taken it out of us but we went out there and gave it our best and should be proud of how we did.
“I much prefer the 400m and 200m but the 800m helps me build my stamina for the 400m.”
Adlington was tearful after the race; “I have found this week so hard, and I am a bit disappointed I didn’t improve on the time I did last year.
“This year has been so hard dealing with the pressure and expectation on me. Going into this meet, I just kept comparing it to the Olympics.
“But I just need to get my head around the pressure a little bit. We have got a long year now before the Commonwealth Games (October 2010 in Delhi) and hopefully I can come back fighting.
“I know it is all about the journey but it is just very disappointing when it happens at the time.”
In the 200m backstroke British duo Gemma Spofforth, who earlier in the week won gold in the 100m backstroke finished fourth and Lizzie Simmonds fifth. Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe won the race with a world record of two minutes 04.81 seconds.
Russian Anastasia Zueva was second in 2:04.94 and American Elizabeth Beisel third in 2:06.39.
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
