LIVE BLOG: Text Commentary from World Swimming Championships, Rome
By George Scott and Chris Cottrell
FANTASTIC FEDERICA: Italian diva Federica Pellegrini continues her dominance of the freestyle events at the Foro Italico with gold and another world record in the 200m free.
KEEP REFRESHING FOR REGULAR UPDATES FROM ROME
WORLD RECORDS SO FAR: 22 (Women's 100m butterfly, men's 400m freestyle, women's 200m individual medley, women's 400m freestyle, women's 4x100 relay, women's 100m freestyle, men's 100m breaststroke, women's 100m butterfly, women's 100m breaststroke, women's 100m backstroke, women's 200m individual medley, men's 200m freestyle, women's 100m backstroke, men's 50m breaststroke, women's 200m freestyle, women's 200m butterfly, women's 50m backstroke, women's 50m backstroke, men's 200m butterfly, women's 200m freestyle, men's 50m breaststroke, men's 800 freestyle)
LATEST MEDAL TABLE (SWIMMING EVENTS ONLY):
1.
USA - 4 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze
2.
Italy - 3 gold
3.
Germany - 2 gold, 2 silver
5.
Great Britain - 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze
20.00: Read the latest reports from Sportsbeat's James Toney and Ryan Bangs in Rome:
Phelps answers critics with storming world record
Exhausted Spofforth comes up short of 50m backstroke final
Davies eyewitness to another world record in Rome
19:07: Thank you again for joining me. Hope you've enjoyed the blog and thanks to those who left their comments throughout the two sessions.
I'll be back again tomorrow morning where we've got Olympic champion BRITTA STEFFEN, Australia's LISBETH TRICKETT and Britain's FRAN HALSALL in the heats of the 100m freestyle heats.
REBECCA SONI will also be back in the 200m breaststroke heats and there will be all the fun of the women's 4x200m freestyle relay heats where Britain have a great chance of a medal if they can make it through to the finals.
See you tomorrow morning at 08:00.
18:58: Tunisia's OUSSAMA MELLOULI adds an 800m freestyle silver medal to his 400m free silver from the first day and sounds pretty tired of answering questions on the swimsuit issue.
FLASH QUOTE: "I wasn't expecting Zhang to go that kind of swim but hey!," said OUSSAMA MELLOULI. "It's great to go under Grant's record but everybody's knows the swimsuits help. I don't know what to say about these world records any more. This is a celebration of swimming so we should be happy for the people who are breaking the records."
18:51: So what an evening we've had again.
FEDERICA PELLEGRINI once again stole the show with a huge world record and gold in the 200m freestyle.
But MICHAEL PHELPS also found himself back on the top of the podium after a comprehensive victory in the 200m butterfly.
No medals for the Brits tonight but British records for JAMES GODDARD, who looks good for the 200m individual medley tomorrow evening, and DAVID DAVIES in the 800m freestyle - he'll be back again on Saturday for the 1500m free.
18:46: Anon quite rightly comments that there are only two long course world records remaining which weren't set in the supersuits - the two 1500m records.
KATE ZIEGLER'S 1500m record is safe because that event has already happened this week but GRANT HACKETT must be worried his 1500m freestyle record is under threat after a swim like that from ZHANG.
18:42: 
Sensational swim by LIN ZHANG. He wins the gold and absolutely destroys GRANT HACKETT'S four year old world record of 7.38.65 minutes. ZHANG went out like a streamtrain and just didn't seem to get tired as he came home in 7.32.12 minutes.
Yet another silver for OUSSAMA MELLOULI who also ducked under HACKETT'S old record with a time of 7.35.27 minutes.
Bronze for Canadian RYAN COCHRANE
Britain's DAVID DAVIES can be proud of his fifth place. The Welshman put in a cracking swim to set a British record of 7.44.32 minutes.
18:40: China's LIN ZHANG is a body length ahead of Tunisia's OUSSAMA MELLOULI at the half way stage - but both are about four seconds ahead of their nearest rivals.
DAVID DAVIES is still in the hunt for bronze.
ANON has left a comment: "Anyone else thinking that Biedermann could give these guys a run for their money over the 800?"
800m could be a bit far for the German double world champ PAUL BIEDERMANN but I wouldn't put anything past that man the way he is going!
18:37: The final event tonight is the men's 800m freestyle final.
DAVID DAVIES is in lane six and he's got a great chance of picking up a bronze.
18:33: For each of ANASTASIA ZUEVA'S fans in the Foro Italico, FEDERICA PELLEGRINI has about 200. The Italian pin-up also pays tribute to her supporters in Rome and interestingly, she plays the modesty card.
FLASH QUOTES: "The crowd called my name and encouraged me." said FEDERICA PELLEGRINI. "I'm sorry not to be able to exult the way I would like to. It's not part of my personality.
"Even today I cried before the race, I felt tired after so many important high-level races. I am surprised by myself, yes. I am surprised because I thought I could swim only one tenth better than yesterday, not more than that.
"I never thought I would swim under the 1:53.00. But I am done with my individual events now this year. All my energies will be focused on tomorrow's relay."
18:30: You actually can't get closer than that second semi-final. LASZLO CSEH and RYAN LOCHTE finish joint first in 1.55.18 minutes.
What a final it's going to be tomorrow night!
JOE ROEBUCK finished seventh in 1.59.82 minutes but GODDARD'S time was good enough to qualify fourth fastest for the final.
18:27: New 50m backstroke record holder ANASTASIA ZUEVA tries her best to thank her adoring fans after setting her record in this evening's semi finals.
FLASH QUOTE: "I am very happy with my result and moreover with the world record." said ANASTASIA ZUEVA. "Only one hundredth is not too much, but it makes the difference.
I gave my best to improve my time. I performed for my supporters and my team, who kept encouraging me."
18:23:
OH MY DAYS! JAMES GODDARD comes back in the last 100m to win the first semi final. A new British record for GODDARD of 1.57.12 minutes.
The Brit relegates ERIC SHANTEAU and THIAGO PEREIRA to second and third spots.
Big battle in the next semi - American RYAN LOCHTE against Hungary's LASZLO CSEH. It should be between these two tomorrow night so he's a good preview!
18:21:
More Brits again now in the the mens 200m individual medley semi finals. We're being well represented tonight!
JAMES GODDARD and JOE ROEBUCK both did well to get to the semis and GODDARD was sixth fastest qualifier so has a great chance of a spot in tomorrow night's final!
18:18:
Sounds like MICHAEL PHELPS was proving a point to himself as well as the rest of the world with his dominant victory in the 200m butterfly.
FLASH QUOTES: "This event is very close to my heart. It was the first event I won a major medal in," said MICHAEL PHELPS. "Last night I was still disappointed from the 200m Freestyle, so I spoke to Bob Bowman and said to him to wait and see what happens tonight."
18:15:
Does Britain's JO JACKSON wish she was on the podium right now? You bet!
FLASH QUOTES: "Obviously I would have loved to get a medal but just to get into the final of the 200m is great because it is nowhere near my main event." said JO JACKSON. "I just get in there and hopefully do my best with a view to the relay. To do a personal best last night was really pleasing and to get near it again makes me happy."
18:13:
The Foro Italico erupts again as FEDERICA PELLEGRINI collects her gold medal - time for the Italian national anthem again - much more fun than the American one in my humble opinion.
18:12: Sportsbeat's James Toney has something to get off his chest about ELLEN GANDY'S butterfly performance.
"Ellen Gandy's 2.08.55 is a big shock. She clocked 2.04.83 to set the European record at the trials but has seemed off the pace all week. But remember, she's only 17. Adlington had a shocking World Championship in Melbourne two years ago and one year later won two Olympic golds." - Sportsbeat's James Toney in Rome
18:08: Really close second semi! As expected it was between MARY DESCENZA and KATINKA HOSSZU. The Hungarian swims a great last 25m to qualify fastest for tomorrow's final in a European Record of 2.04.27 minutes.
DESCENZA'S time was 2.04.33 minutes. Looks like another exciting final tomorrow.
18:05: Here comes new world record holder MARY DESCENZA in the second semi final. The American said after her heat swim that she thought she was on for a time of 2.12 minutes rather than her record time of 2.04.14 minutes - not sure I believe her to be honest!
18:02: Aussie JESSICAH SCHIPPER takes the semi in 2.04.87 minutes ahead of Olympic silver medallist LIUYANG JIAO and France's AURORE MONGEL.
Olmypic champion ZIGE LIU was more than a second under world record pace at 100m but faded away in the second half of the race.
ELLEN GANDY looked shaky again and was off the pace after the first 50m She came eighth in a time of 2.08.55 minutes.
17:58:
A few of you were rather critical of our ELLEN'S performance in the heats - can she find the perfect response here?
17:56: More semi finals next and there's another Brit involved. ELLEN GANDY was the fastest in the world going into these championships but American MARY DESCENZA set a big world record in this morning's heats.
DESCENZA'S close buddy JESSICAH SCHIPPER should go through to the final and 20-year-old Hungarian KATINKA HOSSZU is also one to watch in the second semi.
17:54:
For those MICHAEL ROCK fans who may be clawing at the screen wanting to know where he finished in the PHELPS 200m butterfly final - he came seventh in a respectable time of 1.55.43 minutes.
Well done MICHAEL for being there in the first place.

POINT PROVED: Michael Phelps wins the 200m butterfly at the Foro Italico (Getty Images)
17:52:
MICHAEL PHELPS is collecting his gold in Rome as we listen to the star-spangled banner for the fourth time this week - it's great to see the big man back on top of the podium.
17:46: 
Victory goes to CAMERON VAN DER BURGH who touches home to break the world record again in 26.67 seconds.
Brazil's FELIPE SILVA challenged as expected but just missed out on gold with a time of 26.76.
And it's another medal for USA as MARK GANGLOFF wins bronze from lane eight.
17:44: The men take centre stage again next with the 50m breaststroke final - South Africa's CAMERON VAN DER BURGH broke the world record in the semi final but two others - Brazil's FELIPE SILVA and Germany's HENDRIK FELDWEHR - dipped under 27 seconds.
Australia's BRENTON RICKARD is looking for his second gold of the champs after winning in the 100m breast earlier in the week.
17:42:
Britain's GEMMA SPOFFORTH isn't too upset about missing out on a place in the final of the women's 50m backstroke.
FLASH QUOTES: "It was a new British record but I felt a little bit slow after yesterday." said GEMMA SPOFFORTH. "I've got no complaints. I struggled to sleep last night, I couldn't believe what I'd done."
17:37: 
The crowd are in raptures as FEDERICA PELLEGRINI breaks her own world record from the semis to win her second gold of the championships in a time of 1.52.98 minutes. She showed no sign of the pressure on her shoulders as she took control of the lead after the first 50m and just went further and further away from the rest of the field. In a class of her own!
ALISON SCHMITT wins silver for USA
And DANA VOLLMER finishes just ahead of Britain's JO JACKSON to claim bronze.
17:35: Get ready folks - Italian diva and star of the championships so far FEDERICA PELLEGRINI is about to take centre stage. It's the 200m freestyle final and PELLEGRINI destroyed the world record in the semis.
Britain's JO JACKSON is in with another great chance of a medal to go with her silver from the 400m free earlier in the week. GO JO!
17:29: 

The Great Man is back. MICHAEL PHELPS proves a point with a world record time of 1.51.51 minutes. The American led the whole race and it never looked in doubt that he would win gold and break the record.
Poland's PAWEL KORZENIOWSKI came through well at the end to get a good silver.
Japan's TAKESHI MATSUDA has to settle for bronze - he didn't threaten PHELPS in the slightest.
17:25: Our first final of the night is upon us - and it's going to be a good one! The Baltimore Bullet MICHAEL PHELPS is out to avenge his silver yesterday with a win now in the 200m butterfly.
But the rest of the field are bound to have taken confidence from PHELPS' defeat. Look out for TAKESHI MATSUDA of Japan who is the fastest qualifier for this final.
Britain's MICHAEL ROCK has shocked a few by getting to the final - can he pull off a medal winning performance??
17:23:
Russia's ANASTASIA ZUEVA responds in style by beating DANIELA SAMULSKI'S time by 0.01 seconds! Should be a great final tomorrow.
GEMMA SPOFFORTH misses out on the final but will have the 200m backstroke later in the week.
17:19:
There goes the first world record of the night. Germany's DANIELA SAMULSKI wins the first semi in 27.39 seconds and breaks her own record from June this year.
So much for my predictions - GEMMA SPOFFORTH comes sixth in that semi in a British record time of 27.92 seconds. Don't think that will be good enough for a place in the final unfortunately.
17:17: More semi finals next - this time the women's 50m backstroke.
Britain's GEMMA SPOFFORTH is back again after last night's heroics and should make it through her semi.
Russia's ANASTASIA ZUEVA will be looking to set a big time as well - she broke the 100m world record in the semi finals earlier in the week. Will she be able to do it again?
17:16: Looks like one of our men in the field has some advice for Frenchman FREDERICK BOUSQUET who only just made it through those semi finals!
"Note to Frederick Bousquet. Gold swimming costumes are like white football boots - you can't afford not to win wearing them. Bousquet finished fifth in his 100m freestyle semi-final and qualified by just four hundredths of a second. The waiting French press were only given a Gallic shrug. Will he be back in black tomorrow?" - Sportsbeat's James Toney in Rome
17:11: Canada's BRENT HAYDEN wins the second semi final but it's not as quick with the winning time being 47.88 seconds.
The Rome crowd stands to applaud Italian FILIPPO MAGNINI when they realise he hasn't made it through to the final - kind of bittersweet but I'm sure he'll appreciate it!
17:08: Good start for my predictions! Olympic champion ALAIN BERNARD wins the first semi final in 47.27 seconds.
CESAR CIELO FILHO was second and STEFAN NYSTRAND third!
Any predictions of your own you want to share??? Leave a message at the bottom of the page.
It's JO JACKSON vs FEDERICA PELLEGRINI part two later tonight in the 200m freestyle and MICHAEL PHELPS will be looking to bounce back in the 200m butterfly having been beaten yesterday.
“Federica’s tifosi are back – with their homemade banners declaring dying love. One reads “Fede 8 Re di Roma”, translating as Federica - 8th King of Rome. History lesson for you. The last King of Rome - Lucius Tarquinius Superbus – died in 509 BC and his reign was characterised by bloodshed and violence.” - Sportsbeat’s James Toney in Rome.
17:05: So first up we've got the titans of swimming in the mens 100m freestyle. Frenchman ALAIN BERNARD'S world record from earlier in the year was ruled out because of his suit so it's EAMON SULLIVAN'S time of 47.05 seconds to beat for a new record.
The Aussie is absent in Rome so expect BERNARD, Brazil's CESAR CIELO FILHO and Sweden's STEFAN NYSTRAND to be setting the quickest times in these semis.
17:04: Hello and welcome back to coverage of day four of the World Swimming Championships in Rome.
Feel free to leave comment throughout the evening's session and we'll discuss topics here on the blog.
We've got two guys in the field who will be sending over flash quotes and comments as well - it should be another great evening!
COMMENT by Anon 10.01: "I thought Gandy looked off her best when competing in the 100. I think she will struggle to medal in the final."
We'll have to see - ELLEN GANDY'S got the semi-final first, she's drawn in the same race as JESSICAH SCHIPPER and former world record holder LIU ZIGE and will race in lane two. Remember, the 200m butterfly is her better event - she's still the second fastest swimmer in the world this year.
13.00: Who was wearing what for the 16 world records set during these championships so far:
1.
Arena X-Glide (7) Paul Biedermann x2, Cameron Van Der Burgh, Anastasia Zueva, Rebecca Soni, Sarah Sjostrom x2
2.
Jaked 01 (6) - Mary Descenza, Federica Pellegrini x2, Brenton Rickard, Ariana Kukors x2
3.
Adidas Hydrofoil ( 2) - Britta Steffen, Netherland’s 4x100m freestyle team
4.
Speedo LZR (1) Gemma Spofforth
10.46: Before we let you go - here's JOE ROEBUCK'S thoughts on his performance this morning.
FLASH QUOTE: "I'm pretty pleased with the time," said ROEBUCK. "It was a bit of an agonising wait to see if I'd made the semi-final and I'm delighted it's job done.
"I'm just going to enjoy tonight and hopefully go faster."
10.28: That wraps up this morning's action. It's been busy, with 51 heats and a world record to boot, but don't forget to check back this evening at 5pm UK time - it's going to be action packed!.
JAMES GODDARD, JOE ROEBUCK, ELLEN GANDY and GEMMA SPOFFORTH will go again in their semi-finals after qualifying this morning.
There's plenty of British interest in the finals too - MICHAEL ROCK has a shot at a medal in the 200m butterfly, while JO JACKSON will be looking to get one back on home favourite FEDERICA PELLEGRINI in the 200m freestyle final and long-distance specialist DAVID DAVIES contests the 800m freestyle final.
“David Davies – see yesterday’s blog (09.12) – is not the only swimmer who wants to be a policeman ‘when he grows up’. Jo Jackson also fancies herself as an aspiring Juliet Bravo.” – Sportsbeat’s James Toney in Rome
10.18:
Great news on the British front. Both JAMES GODDARD and JOEBUCK qualify for the semi-finals in sixth and 15th respectively. Well done lads - they'll both be going again this afternoon. LASZLO CSEH qualifies fastest with American ERIC SHANTEAU - fourth in the 100m breaststroke final - second and favourite RYAN LOCHTE fifth.
10.17: Latest reports from Sportsbeat's James Toney and Ryan Bangs in Rome
Descenza's world record doesn't worry Gandy
No time to celebrate as Spofforth's back in the pool
10.13: Heat 11 - and the final race of the morning - of the men's 200m individual medley now.
10.08:
JAMES GODDARD puts in a comfortable performance to record a time of 1.58.40. JOE ROEBUCK finishes fourth in 1.59.65. LASZLO CSEH wins the heat in 1.56.34. The Hungarian likes to swim quickly early on in the competition and that's certainly what he did there - and it was his first race of the championships.
10.04:
And they're off. JAMES GODDARD'S entry time of 1.57.99 is the sixth fastest.
10.00:
Heat eight is into the final 50m and it's JAMES GODDARD and JOE ROEBUCK to go next - the first of the three seeded heats. The quickest time so far is 1.59.95.
FLASH QUOTE: "It was totally unexpected , I am so excited. I didn't think I could go that fast. It was an amazing race," said MARY DESCENZA. "Jessicah is a great racer and I just love racing against her - she pushed me all the way."

ONE TO WATCH: Great Britain's Ellen Gandy starts her campaign in the 200m butterfly - she's the fastest in the world this year, breaking the European record at the British Gas National Championships in March (Getty Images)
FLASH QUOTE: "My aim was just to get intot he semi-final so it was a case of job done for me," said ELLEN GANDY. "I was holding back a little bit out there - I didn't want to give too much away in the heats.
"A world record has gone but I wanted to just swim my own race and keep myself to myself. It was definitely helped already being in the pool this week - just little things like getting used to the venue and knowing where to go."
09.47: 11 heats of the men's 200m individual medley to finish of this morning's session. JAMES GODDARD and JOE ROEBUCK both go in heat nine.
09.45:
ELLEN GANDY is safely through as tenth fastest but will have to up her game in this afternoon's semi-finals.
09.35:
ELLEN GANDY puts in a very pedestrian looking 2.07.33 and we're waiting to see who goes through.
09.31: ANNIKA MEHLHORN gives it a good go in the next heat. She was on world record case for much of the race but faded at the end.
09.27:
Well we're only in the heats but the world records keep tumbling! America's MARY DESCENZA lowers LIU ZIGE'S world record to 2.04.14 in the 200m butterfly. ZIGE is going in the next heat - how will be react?
"Venezuela’s Albert Subirats is wearing a flesh coloured swim suit. Now that is something Fina should really ban.” – Sportsbeat’s James Toney in Rome
FLASH QUOTE: "I'm a little dissapointed with the time, I was three tenths off my best which may not seem that much but at the World Championships you have to produce your best times," said SIMON BURNETT. "There's a big difference between a best time and a nearly best time."
09.20: ELLEN GANDY has the world leading time this year - her European record of 2.04.83 from the British Gas national championships in March.
09.16: Without further adieu we're into the women's 200m butterfly heats. One six heats here with JESSICA DICKONS in four and ELLEN GANDY in six.
09.10:
ADAM BROWN finishes 8th in 48.90 and it's not enough to qualify. SIMON BURNETT also misses out - the cut off point was 48.43 and he'll be dissapointed not to have a shot at the semi-finals. DAVID WALTERS is fastest through.
09.05:
SIMON BURNETT finished fifth in heat 20. Will 48.57 be enough? There's a few swimmers under 48 - unthinkable a few years ago - now with American DAVID WALTERS quickest with 47.59. ADAM BROWN is ready to go in the final heat.
09.01: We've got a new time to beat. Croatia's DUJE DRAGANJA puts in 48.18 - the same time as MICHAEL KLIM'S world record from the Sydney Olympic Games. We've still got four heats to go and that's a fantastic time for this stage of the event.
08.55: We're up to heat 16 now and BRETT FRASER'S 48.56 is still the quickest time. Not long until Brits SIMON BURNETT and ADAM BROWN go in heats 20 and 22 respectively.
FLASH QUOTE: "I didn't have much time to celebrate last night because I had to focus on this morning," said GEMMA SPOFFORTH. "I'm through to the next round and I've got a few hours to relax and prepare now."
FLASH QUOTE: "It was a bit tough after last night's 100m final and it was the first event of the morning so I didn't have much time to prepare" said LIZZIE SIMMONDS. "It was a little bit off my best but it was still a good swim."
08.46: There we go - the commentator's curse. BRETT FRASER immediately lowers the fastest time to 48.56. His entry time was 53.46 and that's a massive PB - something doesn't add up. Is it the suits, an inaccurate entry time or a super-human performance?
08.44: The fastest time so far is from heat one - 50.22 by the Ukraine's DMYTRO CHERKASOV. That is sure to go though once we get into the quicker heats.
08.42: Thanks comment 08:16 - it's been amended. No excuse but is hard to keep up, sometimes!
08.40: As we rattle through these heats there's much debate about the number of entries from smaller nations clogging up the early heats. Should there be a cap or is it vital experience for developing swimming nations? Leave your thoughts below.
08.32: 100m free world record holder and Olympic silver medallist EAMON SULLIVAN is missing from these World Championships after picking up a virus.
08.29: The men's 100m freestyle heats are underway. A very popular event this one - 22 heats.
08.26:
GEMMA SPOFFORTH is safely through to the semi-finals as tenth fastest. No need to push herself at this stage after last night's exploits. LIZZIE SIMMONDS - who doesn't fancy herself as a sprinter - narrowly misses out and finishes 19th fastest.
08.24: ANASTASIA ZUEVA puts in an excellent time of 27.70 to narrowly miss out of immediately breaking the new European record.
08.20: ALEKSANDRA GERASIMENYA has just broken GEMMA SPOFFORTH'S European record of 27.99, swimming 27.65 in heat 13. Next up is SPOFFORTH'S new best friend - ANASTASIA ZUEVA.
08.18:
No rest for the wicked. GEMMA SPOFFORTH
t;has just gone in heat 12, finishing third in 28.19 - that will be enough to get here through.
08.13: The youngest competitor in this morning's heats is 12-year-old GOURI KOTECHA from Tanzania - and she's one ambitious young lady!
FLASH QUOTE: "It's very exciting and fun to be here. Im meeting all my heroes including Michael Phelps," said KOTECHA. "My goal is to reach the point where Michael Phelps is."
08.05: Well the action is underway at the Foro Italico and the 50m heats are coming thick and fast. The current world record for this event was set exactly one mon th ago by DANIELA SAMULSKI in Berlin - 27.61 seconds.
07.53: How many medals do you think Britain will win in Rome? We've already had three golds (Tom Daley, Keri-Anne Payne, Gemma Spofforth), one silver (Jo Jackson) and one bronze (Rebecca Adlington). Currently leading our poll is a prediction of six - which means we've only got one more podium place to celebrate. Surely shome mistake?
07.30:
Brit watch. No celebrating for GEMMA SPOFFORTH after last night's 100m backstroke gold - she's back in the pool in heat 12 of this morning's 50m backstroke. LIZZIE SIMMONDS is also in action in heat 13 - although the sprint event is not her forte.
SIMON BURNETT (heat 20) and ADAM BROWN (heat 22) will attempt to qualify in the blue-riband 100m freestyle, with France's ALAIN BERNARD determined to snatch the world record of the absent Australian EAMON SULLIVAN.
JESSICA DICKONS will have her first swim in heat four of the 200m butterfly while British team-mate ELLEN GANDY - the fastest in the world this y ear after setting the European record at the British Gas national championships - goes in heat six.
JAMES GODDARD and JOE ROEBUCK both go in heat nine of the 200m medley. In the absence of world record holder MICHAEL PHELPS, his American team-mate RYAN LOCHTE will be favourite - he goes in heat 11.
IT’S the morning after the night before.
Rome is still recovering from seeing Michael Phelps beaten in the 200m freestyle final and I’m getting over celebrating Gemma Spofforth’s gold with enough Peroni to fill a swimming pool.

Comments
Wow only 2 records left.
Wow only 2 records left. Ziegler's safe but surely 14:34 will go?
Anyone else thinking that
Anyone else thinking that Biedermann could give these guys a run for their money over the 800?
Why are the GB girls better
Why are the GB girls better than the boys? None of them look like they are going to get a medal - barring Davies that is
re: Get it right
Gandy looked off, because she swam over half a second slower than her pb in the 100 - presumeably with a healthier taper than she allowed for in Sheffield.
re re: Get it right
Lets wait two hours and see. And hopefully one more day to really settle it. I concede she is playing a dangerous game keeping things in reserve when others are recording WRs in heats.
Decent performances all
Decent performances all round from the brits today. Dissapointed with simon burnett but excellent stuff from the others.
Looking forward to the jackson/pellegrini face-off tonight
I agree - rock was
I agree - rock was particularly impressive yesterday and maybe his efforts were overshadowed by spofforths heroics and the italian/american records.
But if you put in the hard work, you get your just rewards - competing in a world championship final with michael phelps!
I thought Gandy looked off
I thought Gandy looked off her best when competing in the 100. I think she will struggle to medal in the final.
Anyone else similarly impressed with Michael Rock's turns in the 200 fly semi yesterday?
Get it right
Gandy looked off because the 100 is not her event and the 200 is.
BRETT FRASER CONFIRMATION
FINA's official start list has BRETT FRASER'S qualifying time down as 53.46.
They point out they are reliant on information provided by his national association in the Cayman Islands.
He was 19th fastest -
He was 19th fastest - quicker than Burnett. His qualifying time must have been wrong
That must just be an
That must just be an inaccurate time from Fraser. No-one that low down the heats can put that sort of personal best in.
Your world record tally is
Your world record tally is wrong - it's 15 - you have missed Britta Steffan's 100m freestyle lead leg from the relay final.
WE'VE AMENDED IT IN THE WORLD RECORD NOW - Site Editor
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