David Davies won Britain's second swimming medal of the Olympic Games
with a stunning performance in the 1500 metres freestyle.
Davies smashed his own British record by more than 11 seconds to win bronze
behind defending champion Grant Hackett and American Larsen Jensen.
The 19-year-old from Cardiff's time of 14 minutes 45.95 seconds was also a new
European record and means only three swimmers have ever gone faster over the
gruelling distance - Hackett, Jensen and former world record holder Kieren
Perkins.
A jubilant Davies said: "It's the best two weeks of my life, in fact it's
been the best year of my life. I'm never going to forget this.
"I've really enjoyed it but I'm glad it's over now, it's a lot of hard work.
"I'm really surprised at that time. I didn't think I'd go that fast, I really
hoped to put in a good result but nothing like that.
"Normally when I race Grant he's miles ahead but we were catching him. Larsen
got away from me a bit but I got a medal. It's one of the best races I've been
in."
Davies had already broken his British record in the heats, but that time of
14:57.03 secs was completely obliterated in a thrilling race in Athens.
Stephen Parry's bronze in the 200m butterfly was all the team had to show for
four years' hard work since returning from Sydney without a single medal until
Davies produced easily the best British swim of the games.
A revelation since concentrating fully on the distance after the Commonwealth
Games and fourth in the World Championships in Barcelona last year, Davies had
Hackett inside him in lane four and Jensen in lane six, and shadowed the
Australian through the opening stages.
He was still in silver medal position after 800m and although Jensen moved
past into second, he kept within striking distance of the leaders throughout.
Hackett needed to produce an Olympic record of 14:43.40 to hold off the two
pretenders to his crown, Davies less than two seconds adrift and a sure
contender for even better in Beijing in two years' time.
Davies' performance certainly drew high praise from Hackett, although it has had
the unwelcome effect of encouraging the formerly untouchable Australian to carry
on.
"For Kieren and I to be the only two people under 14.50 before tonight and
then for these guys to break it by five seconds is awesome," Hackett said.
"I really look forward to the challenge over the coming years.
"I probably had my mind on the 200 and 400 freestyle, not realising these
guys were going to jump such a standard. They have made me aware of how good
they are. It's awesome to be pushed and to have a race.
"David has really picked up. At the trials this year I realised what a
competitor he is becoming. No offence to him but I didn't think technically he
was able to go that quick but he has proven me wrong.
"It has been a wake-up call and has been the inspiration I need to drive
myself for the next four years."
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