BUDAPEST 2010: Ajulu-Bushell flops on Great Britain debut

By David Jordan, Sportsbeat, in Budapest

ACHIENG Ajulu-Bushell's Great Britain debut got off to a dreadful start as she came home last in her 100m breaststroke heat at the European Championships in Budapest.

STUTTERING START: Achieng Ajulu-Bushell endures a Great Britain debut to forget at the European Championships

The 16-year-old, best known for her recent switch of allegiances from Kenya to Great Britain, was far from her best in Hungary and could only touch home in 1:11.80 minutes.

Ajulu-Bushell proved her undoubted potential at the British Gas Championships back in March, collecting gold in both the 50m and 100m breaststroke - disciplines in which Great Britain have perennially struggled.

But as all eyes turned to Ajulu-Bushell - who became the first black swimmer to represent Great Britain - she flattered to deceive in the early morning sun.

"I felt really heavy in the water, I swam in a competition last week and I still just fell really tired," said Ajulu-Bushell.

"I think I'm going to have to sit down with my coach and go through what happened and see what I've done.

"It was always going to be hard because like everyone else I'm training for the Commonwealth Games but I still didn't expect to swim like that.

"I just felt very heavy and couldn't get into the race. If it's something we can sort out then hopefully we can figure it out.

"I've still got the 50m to come and hopefully I can make up for it in that in one but I'll have to sit down with my coach and decide."

And things did not get much better for compatriot and 2006 European silver medallist Kate Haywood who was looking impressive in her heat but was disqualified for fly-kicking at the start of the race - a decision Great Britain have opted to appeal.

In the men's 200m freestyle, Robbie Renwick continued his impressive form, having finished sixth in the 400m freestyle on Monday, coming home as the fourth fastest qualifier in 1:48.15 minutes.

Fellow Brit Ross Davenport also advanced with a time of 1:48.89 - good enough for 12th place overall but David Carry's miserable run continues and after flopping in the 400m, he failed to progress over the shorter distance as only two competitors from each nation can advance.

 The nation's leading energy supplier British Gas is the Principal Partner of British Swimming, and have pledged £15m to support the sport at all levels - from paddling pool to podium. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming