Davies insists he could quit the pool after Commonwealths

By Ryan Bangs, Sportsbeat

OLYMPIC silver medallist David Davies insists next season could be his last in the pool after bringing the curtain down on 2009 at the British Gas Duel in the Pool.

WAVING GOODBYE: Welsh swimmer David Davies admits 2010 could be his last season in the pool as he eyes Olympic open water glory (Getty Images)

The 24-year-old joined a host of swimmers from Britain, Italy and Germany for the biennial meet in Manchester.  Unfortunately, he could do little to stop the USA lifting the inaugural crown 185-78.

Davies kicked off by finishing sixth in the 400m freestyle in a time of 3:47.64 minutes as American Peter Vanderkaay took victory, coming home more than 12 seconds ahead.

However, the Welsh flyer did manage to pick up a point for Europe in the 800m freestyle a day later, finishing third behind Italian winner Federico Colbertaldo in a new British record of 7:36.47 mins.

But Davies - who claimed Olympic 10km open water silver in Beijing last summer - admitted his time in the pool may come to end after next year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

"It was a fun two sessions of swimming in Manchester," said Davies. "It was something new, something different and I think the atmosphere was what we all want in Britain.

"But the big one for me is the Commonwealth Games because that will decide whether I stay in the pool for 2012.

"It is going to be pretty difficult next year, with the suits changing, to post really good times Still, in terms of how I perform, I have got a good marker in Canadian Ryan Cochrane who was third in the 1500m freestyle at the Olympics in Beijing.

"If I am too far behind him and I can't see myself getting a medal in London it would make sense to drop it and give it my all in the open water because I have a great opportunity there."

Davies' decision to opt out of the open water event in favour of the pool at the World Championships in Rome this summer raised eyebrows in swimming circles.

And while he stands by his Italian decision, the Loughborough-based swimmer admitted he will have to be smart if he is to upgrade his Olympic open water silver to gold at London 2012.

"I have to look at things, think about them and be sensible," he said. "The four years between Beijing and London are all about one meet and that is a hard thing to prepare for.

"But I have got Olympic bronze and silver and I want to get gold and, without getting too wrapped up in it, I have got to do what is right to hit that target so 2010 will be a pivotal year in deciding what I do."

PLEASE LEAVE IN FINAL PAR - British Gas and British Swimming. The nation's leading energy supplier, British Gas, is the Principal Partner of British Swimming, supporting the sport at all levels: ‘From paddling pool to podium'. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming