Simmonds in perfect shape as final beckons

Posted: Monday 18th August 2008 | 8:21

LIZZIE SIMMONDS insists the best is yet to come after an attention-grabbing performance in the 200m backstroke semi-finals.

The Beverley teenager produced a lifetime best to advance to the final as the second quickest qualifier.

Simmonds has made no secret of the fact this event was her top priority for Beijing, despite arriving here ranked outside the world's top ten.

She placed fifth at the European championships earlier this year but showed she was peaking at the right time with a silver medal at the world short course championships in Manchester.

"I was pretty smooth but it could have been a bit better," admitted Simmonds.

"I think I was a bit over excited and I didn't really stick to the race plan that I devised with my coaches.

"Maybe I went out a little too fast but I'm someone who just wants to race and race, I'm not so good at holding back."

But Simmonds, 18, faces tough competition if she is to add to Britain's medal tally at the Water Cube.

Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry will start as hot favourite after beating Krisztina Egerszegi's 16-year-old Olympic record yesterday.

Australian Megan Nay, home hope Jing Zhao and American Elizabeth Beisel will also fancy their podium chances.

"If I stick better to my race plan I think I can be in the mix," added Simmonds.

"This is what my Olympic Games are all about and I'm so happy to be in an Olympic final, although the job is not done yet.

"I think with a bit more control, I can go faster. It's fantastic to get a British record, there is a stat that every major British record, with the exception of the men's 200m butterfly, is held by someone on this team."

Meanwhile, Mark Foster refused to bring the curtain down on his career despite failing to advance beyond the 50m freestyle heats yesterday.

But the six-time world champion acknowledges that swimmers like Simmonds are the future now.

"The atmosphere in this team is the most amazing I've experienced in five Olympic Games," he said.

"The commitment and attitude of all the team cannot be faulted. If you look at the progress we've made and how many finals we've made, it's a huge change."

MATTHEW DAVIS in Beijing