Browse Sections

• Local football
• Local cricket

Keri-Anne eyeing medal splash

Daniel Schofield in Beijing
14/ 8/2008

MIDDLETON swimmer Keri-Anne Payne insists she can tap into Britain’s Olympic medal rush when she competes in the 10km open water swimming event next Wednesday [20th].

On Monday, Rebecca Adlington became Britain’s first female Olympic champion in 48 years when she won gold in the 400m freestyle, with team-mate Jo Jackson grabbing bronze. And such has been Britain’s lack of success in the pool, 20-year-old Payne admitted she was lost for words when Adlington took her place on the podium.

She said: "We were all just so happy and excited when we were singing the national anthem.

"We were all out of tune. It was quite funny listening to us all trying to sing God Save the Queen.

"There’s a feeling in the team that we can get lots more medals.

"It was phenomenal when they got their medals and then I was really excited and pumped up to come and do my races.

"It is looking good for next week - we have got the momentum. We have already matched what we did in Athens.

"It is going to build up as the week goes on and hopefully carry over into the open water with [Metro club-mate] Cassie (Patten), myself and David (Davies)."

Most recent 1 of 1 user comments