Georgia Davies Admits Shock At Bronze Medal

Georgia Davies surprised herself when she took a bronze in the 100m backstroke at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Glasgow.

The Welsh double bronze Commonwealth Games medallist of 2018 is not renowned as a short course competitor but managed to finish third in the final and make the podium.

Dutch swimmer Kira Toussaint triumphed as she improved on her silver medal from two years ago.

Toussaint won gold in 55.71, with Russia’s Maria Kameneva settling for silver in 56.10 and Davies claiming third in 56.73.

Davies, who 50m backstroke gold for Wales in the Tollcross pool at Glasgow 2015, admitted she was “shocked” to finish among the medals in the 100m event.

“I expected others to go quicker and I don’t consider myself to be a short course swimmer, but it’s always great to be up there winning medals,” she told BBC Sport.

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Short course championships take place in 25m pools – half the length of the pools used during the Olympic Games which is a long course competition.

Max Litchfield stormed to Britain’s first gold medal of the championships with victory in the 400m individual medley.

It was a first major international title for the 24-year-old, who was in control of the race from the outset and won by more than two seconds.

“I was incredibly honoured to be standing on top of the podium in GB colours,” Litchfield said.

“Although it wasn’t the time I had hoped for, it’s a great swim and a huge stepping stone moving forward this year and into 2020.

Duncan Scott set a British record in the heats of the 200m freestyle in his home city but was unable to match that time in the final and had to settle for a silver medal behind Lithuania’s Danas Rapsys.