Miley breaks medal duck with 200m IM bronze

From David Jordan, Sportsbeat, in Istanbul

HANNAH Miley ended her medal drought by claiming 200m individual medley bronze at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Istanbul.


ON THE PODIUM: Hannah Miley captures 200m IM bronze at the European Short Course Swimming Championships

Miley clocked 2:06.96 minutes, with Hungary's Verrszto Evelyn posting a new world record time of 2:04.64 seconds for gold.

The 20-year-old has endured a frustrating year, suffering double heartache as she twice finished fourth in the 200m and 400m individual medleys at the same event in Croatia 12 months ago.

And Miley travelled to the World Championships in Rome in the summer as the leading 400m medley swimmer in the world, only to finish fourth.

But Miley, who will also take to the pool in the 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 200m breaststroke and 400m individual medley, bounced back in impressive style.

"It's amazing.  I was really happy with finishing third," said Miley. "It was such a quick final and as soon as the hooter went the other swimmers were all off like trains.

"Lots of people say don't try and chase a medal, don't go too quick but I just went for it because I really wanted a European medal."

Meanwhile, Joe Roebuck finished sixth in his 200m IM final in 1:54.23, with Austria's Markus Rogan taking gold.