Heart-break for Haywood who just misses out

WHILE Michael Phelps was celebrating the ecstasy of his record eight gold medals in the Water Cube, yesterday was pure agony for Kate Haywood.

Just 1.39 seconds separated Haywood and Britain's 100m medley team from a place on the podium after being pipped to the bronze by hosts China.

The 21-year-old along with Gemma Spofforth, Jemma Lowe and Francesca Halsall set a new European record in the process of 3minutes 57.50seconds.

But that was no consolation to a distraught Haywood as she leaves Beijing empty handed.

She said: "Obviously we are all disappointed with fourth and no one of us has smiled yet.

"We have just got a European record but in the Olympic Games that is just not good enough.

"Fourth is not the place to come. I can't describe the pain we are all in now.

"Maybe we will be able to reflect on it in time but at the moment we are just all absolutely gutted."

Spofforth swam a blistering backstroke first leg setting a new British record  of 59.05 to put the quartet second behind the Americans.

That time would have given Spofforth bronze instead of fourth in the individual 100m backstroke.

Britain dropped down to fifth after Haywood's breaststroke and Lowe's butterfly but with 100m freestyle finalist Halsall swimming the last length they had every chance of hunting down the Chinese.

Despite eating into that deficit, the hosts roared on by an ecstatic home crowd were just able to old off Halsall's challenge.

Taking gold in a new world record time of 3minutes 52.69seconds were Australia, just ahead of the USA.

Although Haywood's pain still burns deep she can reflect on being part of one of the most successful British swimming teams ever.

In Beijing, 21 British swimmers made the finals setting 24 British records in the process, including one world and two Olympic records.

And Haywood insists they can make amends for their heartache at the London 2012 Olympics.

"It has been amazing experience and I am grateful for actually being here," she added. "In the next four years our relay team is going to be absolutely phenomenal.

"We are young team and next time we will get them.

"The whole squad has improved so much. This experience will be crucial then, we won't be one of the youngest teams anymore and we won't fear anyone."

DANIEL SCHOFIELD in Beijing