Davies discovers new limits to claim silver

Posted: Tuesday 9th September 2008 | 18:01

DAVID DAVIES insists he had to push himself past his own physical limits to take Olympic silver in the 10km open water event.

In only his third competitive race, Davies finished second just 1.5 seconds behind the Netherlands' Maarten van der Weijden and then collapsed with exhaustion on the jetty before being stretchered away.

But the 23-year-old Cardiff City Supporter was soon back on his feet as he celebrated his place on the podium with the Ayatollah celebration.

This time last year Davies refused to even consider participating in the event, which was making its debut in Beijing, with his focus on retaining his Athens bronze in the 1500m freestyle.

Now he is the first British swimmer in 32 years to win back-to-back Olympic medals and he admitted his physical sacrifice was just about worth it.

He said: "Last time I did it I felt like I did 12 rounds with Mike Tyson, now I feel like I have done 40.

"It is the hardest thing I have ever done. You put your body through the mill and drain everything that's inside it.

"My body took just control and I was on auto pilot for the last stretch. I lost all feeling and the only thing I wanted to do was finish the face.

"I just wanted that medal so badly I just kept my arms and legs moving. I can't even remember the last 800m.

"All I wanted to do at the end was lie down but they insisted they put me on the stretcher and make it look all dramatic.

"This time last year I did was adamant I did not want to do this sport. I just wanted to concentrate on what I was doing in the pool.

"Now I am on top of the world."

Davies opted to lead from the front just as fellow Brit medallists Keri-Anne Payne and Cassie Patten had done yesterday.

For the first three laps Davies led the line with Greece's Spyridon Gianniotis and German 5k world champion Thomas Lurz keeping him company.

With 500m to go Davies made his break but was pegged back going into the last 100m by Lurz and van der Weijden in the closing 100m.

As they approached the final finishing shoot, Lurz and Davies veered wide while the Ducthman took the shorter approach to grab the gold in a time of 1hour 51.51minutes.

Just six years ago van der Weijden was in a hospital bed battling leukaemia before making a startling recovery to fight his way to the top of the podium.

After the race Davies was involved in a confrontation which saw an over officious Beijing Olympic official drenched by a bottle of water, but even that could not put a dampener on his day.

He said: "I got a medal in Athens and to carry on for another four years near the top of your sport and to do it in endurance events and get another medal is the proudest thing I have ever done in my life.

"I am more proud and humble this time rather than Athens because I understood the sacrifice involved this time round.

"Van der Weijden is like the Lance Armstrong of swimming. He is a gentleman and ambassador for the sport.

"He is a worthy champion I said to him afterwards I was very proud of him. He is someone that can inspire a lot of people especially me for what he has done.

"I still feel I can improve a lot especially with the tactical side of the race. This time we only had a year to prepare for the event, for London 2012 we will have four. I can't wait."

DANIEL SCHOFIELD in Beijing