Swimming

Carlin smashes PB to take 800m gold

ESPN staff

August 21, 2014

Jazz Carlin struggles to hide her delight after realising she has won gold © Getty Images

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Jazz Carlin recorded a personal best in the 800 metre freestyle to win Great Britain's fourth gold medal at swimming's European Championships in Berlin.

Carlin, who last month became the first Welsh woman to win a Commonwealth swimming gold for 40 years, finished in 8:15.54 to finish well clear of Spain's Mireia Belmonte Garcia.

GB's European Championships medal haul

2014: 15 (four gold, four silver, seven bronze)
2012: Two (both silver)
2010: 18 (six gold, six silver, six bronze)
2008: Three (one gold, two silver)

She told BBC Sport: "I can't believe it, coming off the back of the Commonwealth Games and to do a PB as well.

"I still have the drive and determination to go faster."

There were silver medals for Ross Murdoch and Aimee Willmot in the 200m breaststroke and 200m individual medley respectively, while Georgia Davies picked up bronze in the 100m backstroke. Chris Walker-Hebborn also won bronze in the 50m backstroke.

"I'm absolutely delighted, it's my first European Championships and it's been a long season for me," said Murdoch, who also won European 100m breaststroke silver. "To come here and PB again after the Commonwealth Games was a tough ask. But I've swum my best and I've had the season of my life."

Murdoch, , admits his success this year has taken him by surprise, and it has led to a change in mindset for him.

"For me it's still all a bit of a shock," he said. "I've sat down with people at British Swimming and we've reassessed and set some new goals."

ESPN staff