BUDAPEST 2010: Jackson digs deep to earn GB girls relay silver

By David Jordan, Sportsbeat, in Budapest

JO JACKSON dug deep within herself to produce a storming finish and clinch 4x100m freestyle silver for Great Britain at the European Championships in Budapest.

SILVER LINING: (L-R) Amy Smith, Jess Sylvester, Fran Halsall and Jo Jackson celebrate silver at the European Championships in Budapest (Reuters)

Jackson, 23, has endured the most torrid of seasons to date - suffering from asthma and illness which brought about a drastic dip in form.

That left the Olympic bronze medallist crestfallen and short of expectations in Budapest - adamant that she was happy enough to just be taking part on the banks of the Danube.

But Jackson, who prefers the longer freestyle distances having won world silver over both 400m and 800m a year ago, clawed her way back into contention in Hungary to round off a fine performance for the British quartet and claim a well-earned silver medal in 3:38.57.

"I was really nervous going in to that because I am not a 100m swimmer so I just wanted to go in and give everything," said Jackson.

"It hasn't been a great year for me so to get a medal on the first day is great and it has made me feel really good about myself and for the week ahead."

Amy Smith, who agonisingly missed out on advancing through the 50m freestyle heats this morning, gave Great Britain an impressive start and Fran Halsall - the world silver medallist - handed GB a lead of more than a second at the halfway stage with a blistering leg of 53.05 seconds.

Next into the pool for Great Britain was Jess Sylvester who handed over to Jackson with Great Britain in contention for bronze and while Jackson was clinging on in her leg, a medal appeared just beyond the Brits' reach.