ATHENS - Determined to win another medal for Britain, James Goddard lowered the British and Commonwealth record in the 200m backstroke to go through as the second fastest swimmer for Thursday’s 200m backstroke final.

Swimming in the first semi final, Olympics newcomer Goddard led for the entire race before touching home first in 1:57.25 to qualify second fastest behind the world record holder Aaron Peirsol of the United States.

”I went for it right from the start and it was a great time but I’m still looking to go faster because I’m looking for a medal tomorrow,” he said.

Tomorrow will be his first major long course championship final in two years after he missed the World Championships last year through tonsillitis.

Goddard, who won the Commonwealth title two years ago in Manchester, his home city, said: “I’m really glad that happened last year because I’ve got a shot at an Olympic medal now.“

Swimming in the second semi, Gregor Tait also went through to the final fifth fastest in 1:58.75.

”It’s getting better every time I swim so hopefully tomorrow it will come right,” said the Scot.

”I think Stephen Parry gave us all a massive, massive lift and we all want to experience that too.”

The women’s 4x200m freestyle quartet of Melanie Marshall, Georgina Lee, Caitlin McClatchey and Karen Pickering were out of the medals after a determined swim that placed them fifth. They were just short of the British record in 7:59.11.

”I just didn’t have anything more in me – there was nothing more I could do,” said Pickering, who battled with 200m butterfly silver medallist Petria Thomas of Australia for the third place position.

”It’s a great team here and a wonderful experience,” said 18-year-old McClatchey, “and now I’ve swum with these girls I can’t wait to do it again.”

Lee added: ”I had to watch the women’s 200m butterfly final and it made me more determined to win a medal. I swam my heart out and I didn’t have any more left in me.”

A faster lead-off time of 1:59.39 was little consolation for Marshall, who finished last in the individual 200m freestyle semi-finals on Monday despite being the fastest seed going into the Games.

”I came her to swim fast and I didn’t do that,” she said. “This was a great team around me and I’m very proud of them. We can go on and do better things in the future…Beijing here we come!”

Despite making the early pace in the second semi final Edinburgh’s Kirsty Balfour missed out on the final of the women’s 200m breaststroke after finishing tenth overall in 2:28.92, a second adrift of her British record.

Balfour said: ”I just had to go out and see what I could do. I’m pleased with that and I’m really enjoying myself here. I’m in the medley relay tomorrow and I think Britain can do really well.”

But Britain’s medley swimmers had another disappointing session, despite promising heat swims close to their bests this morning.

The race got off to the worst possible start when Robin Francis’s goggles snapped in the first semi-final of the 200m individual medley.  He was last in 2:03.85, more than two seconds away from the time he set to qualify.

Adrian Turner was also slower than this morning, clocking 2:02.06 to finish 15th in the second semi.

”It’s a little bit saddening for me. I think I swam a bit too aggressively on the breaststroke leg. Although I’m experienced it was still my first Olympics and I’ve learned a lot,” the Stockport swimmer said.

The double Commonwealth medallist refused to be drawn on whether or not he will continue swimming after the Games.

”I don’t know what the future holds for me,” he said, “ but it’s still a beautiful thing to be an Olympian. I’m disappointed but I still think I conducted myself very well. I wish I’d done better, but that’s sport for you.”

-ENDS-

■ The 2004 Olympic Games take place in Athens, Greece, between August 13 and 29. Swimming runs from August 14 to 21.

For further details contact Martin Petty, British Swimming Communications Officer in the UK on 01509 632237, 07968 411689 or email martin.petty@swimming.org

Or contact Dave Richards, Team GB Swimming Press Attaché in Athens, on +44 77899 26136 or email david.richards@swimming.org