Georgia On My Mind As Davies Breaks European Record

Georgia Davies admitted she was shocked after she set a new European record at the European Swimming Championships in Glasgow.

The 27-year-old clocked 27.21seconds in the 50m backstroke heats at the Tollcross International Pool where she won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Davies was slightly slower in her semi-final – stopping the clock at 27.46secs – but was still the fastest qualifier for Sunday’s final.

“I was a bit shocked because initially I looked at the scoreboard at the other end of the pool and I thought, ‘no it can’t be’,” said Davies.

“Then I turned and looked closely and I was like ‘What?!’ I was really shocked but so happy because I know I’m in good shape.”

Davies, whose previous best was 27.49 when finishing eighth at last year’s World Championships, added: ”Traditionally I’d prefer to do those times the other way round, progressing from heats to semifinals.

“But I’m definitely not complaining because that time I swam in the morning was way above my expectations.

“Hopefully I can equal or better that time from the heats in the final.”

Loughborough-based Davies admitted breaking the record had put her on a high throughout the day.

”I was actually quite relaxed this morning and tried to replicate that kind of emotion, but to be honest I’ve been on a bit of a high since this morning and I couldn’t really shut off my thoughts.

“Even my heart rate was higher than normal all day. Hopefully, I’ll get a good night’s sleep and be a little more calm and relaxed ahead of the final.”

Fellow Welsh swimmer Kat Greenslade bagged a bronze medal in the 4x200m mixed freestyle relay with Stephen Milne, Craig McLean and Freya Anderson.

**Davies’ time of 27.21secs beat the previous European record of 27.23secs jointly held by Germany’s Daniela Samulski and Aliaksandra Herasimenia of Belarus.

**It also broke the Championship record of 27.57secs held by fellow Brit Fran Halsall.

**Davies is second in the world rankings this year only behind China’s Fu Yuanhui (27.16).
**Davies is now the 4th fastest performer in history and is just 0.15 secs off Zhao Jing‘s world record of 27.06 set nine years ago.