English swimmers help Brits win four medals at London 2016

Swimming News

England’s top swimmers hit top form on day two of the LEN European Aquatics Championships in London as they won four medals, including two golds, for the GB Team.

Adam Peaty took the first gold of the evening, then returned with an all-English quartet to take a second in the mixed medley relay. Fran Halsall and Ben Proud also stood on the podium for Britain, after bronze medal finishes in the women’s and men’s 50m Butterfly respectively.

Peaty showed he was a class above the rest in the 100m Breaststroke, clocking the fastest time in the world this year to finish almost half a second ahead of the field in 58.36.

“There was amazing support in the venue tonight and it’s definitely one of the best races I’ve had,” said Peaty, who was followed home by Scotland’s Ross Murdoch in second. “To have Ross alongside me is just great.

“We followed our well-drilled process and came out with a 58.36 and that puts me in a great place going into Rio.

“I didn’t think I’d go under a minute so to do it twice in one week just shows where I am.”

Great Britain closed the night by defending the European title in the 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay.

The English quartet of Chris Walker-Hebborn, Peaty, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor and Halsall combined for World Championship gold in Kazan last year, and they had no problems retaining their European crown in 3:44.56 ahead of Italy in 3:45.74.

Proud and Halsall claim 50m Fly medals

Proud was the first swimmer to claim a medal on the night, putting in 23.34 in the Men’s 50m Butterfly event for a third place finish.

“I’ve really been working on getting the whole of my race right and achieved that to 45m so that’s positive,” said Proud. “I do that event to have fun so it’s a great way to open my week.

“Later this week I’m swimming the 50m and 100m Freestyle which is obviously my main focus.

“I’m happy with that race, coming out in front of the home crowd gave me a real buzz and such a great feeling. Thanks to everyone for supporting me and the team.”

Halsall put in a repeat performance in the women’s event, claiming bronze with a time of 25.48.

She said: “I was really happy with that swim, it really shows I’m in good shape which is perfect at this point in the season.

“With butterfly it’s all about that last stroke and I got it right on the night to secure the medal.

“If someone had told me at the beginning of the week that I’d go under 25.48 twice in one week, I’d take that. Fast swimming is so much easier when you’re in good shape and confident.”

  • Click here to view full results of the London 2016 European Championships
  • Click here to watch a full replay of the action from London.
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