England strike gold as Games records tumble

Look of a champion: Liam Tancock after winning the 100m backstroke today, his second title of the Commonwealth Games

13 April 2012

Liam Tancock and Rebecca Adlington both set Commonwealth Games records today as they won their second titles in Delhi.

They were among four gold medals for England today with another swimmer, James Goddard, also being crowned champion along with hurdler Andy Turner.

Tancock triumphed in the 100metres backstroke to add to his 50m gold. Evening Standard Sport columnist dominated from the off and touched in 53.59sec, which was 0.84sec ahead of runner-up, Daniel Bell of New Zealand Tancock, the world 50m backstroke champion, has now won three gold medals over two Games and owns five medals in total so far with the 4x100m medley relay to come.

He said: "It's a tough environment and a tough crowd but I've come away with a victory. Now I'm a double Commonwealth champion, pretty cool. Everyone says I am a 50 swimmer but I know I'm not. It's just a bonus, the 50. The 100 is the one I'm going for. It's the Olympic event."

Adlington was never under threat in the 400m freestyle as she secured victory 24 hours after taking gold in the 16-length distance yesterday.

The 21-year-old was a body length ahead at the halfway stage and touched in 4min 05.68sec, breaking Sarah Hardcastle's 1986 Games record by exactly two seconds.

Kylie Palmer of Australia was second with Wales' Jazmin Carlin third.

Adlington said: "It was absolutely amazing. I was so tired after the 800. It's my last race here I and really wanted this so badly. I got the taste for it. I thought I want to do that again' I just gave it my all. I went for it. It is such a confidence booster. It sets me up for next year.

"I am much more comfortable if I am out in front. It was really tough after the 800 last night. I was really achy this morning. You just have to put that aside and forget about it and be mentally tough — it's the end of the season."

Goddard won gold in the men's 200m individual medley while team-mate Joe Roebuck claimed silver.

On the track, Turner added Commonwealth gold to the European title won in Barcelona, as England claimed a clean sweep in the 110m hurdles.

Turner triumphed in 13.38sec ahead of team-mates William Sharman and Lawrence Clarke. He said: "After Barcelona I always wanted to come here, do well and produce a medal. I knew it was going to be hard but as time's gone on the dream of doubling up on the gold medal grew and grew.

England's women controversially missed out on Games gold by a point to India in the archery team recurve event after the noisy home fans distracted them.

Amid whistling and cheering in the background, Amy Oliver could only hit a six on the penultimate arrow, then Alison Williamson's subsequent eight was not enough to prevent the Indians winning.

Given that the Games have been marred by poor attendances, it was ironic that today's crowd had some influence. But the team, which also included Naomi Folkard, were diplomatic after they received their silvers.

"We're used to an archery crowd," said Williamson. "At a golf match people don't start clapping and cheering when someone's about to putt, and it's just lack of awareness of what is etiquette. However you have to deal with it. It's just part of the competition. I'm sure the home crowd will be vocal during the individual event on Sunday."

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England strike gold as Games records tumble

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