Tancock wins gold in 50m in Rome

Liam Tancock brought Britain's World Championships to a respectable close yesterday after the Exeter 25-year-old won gold in the 50m backstroke. Although it was Britain's only medal on the final night in Rome, it was Team GB's second gold in what is its best-ever showing at an international swimming meet, with seven medals in all.

Tancock powered home in 24.04 seconds, breaking his own world record. He has set the record three times in the past 18 months but it is his first gold at a major meet.

Britain's medal haul of two golds, three silvers and two bronzes improves on Team GB's performance at last year's Beijing Olympics, where they won three medals in the pool and three in the open water events.

Also on the final day in Rome, Fran Halsall, who won silver in the 100m freestyle, finished fifth in the final of the 50m free, while David Davies was sixth in the 1500m final.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:Andy Bull, the Guardian: "Oddly, given what he had just achieved, Tancock was a little reticent in his celebrations. But he is a taciturn man, not prone to gushing or shouting. After winning he simply stuck up a thumb at his parents in the crowd. He was muted because the 50m is not his main event. More tellingly perhaps, it is not an Olympic event. How he must wish that was not the case. He has broken the world record twice in two days now... No one else got close."

Liz Byrnes, the Independent: "World records have been tumbling in Rome, with 43 recorded by the end of the competition. With next year's return to textile suits, Tancock can expect to keep his mark for some time. The US and Michael Phelps smashed their own world record to win the men's 4x100m metres medley relay final yesterday. The Americans swam 3min 27.28sec to finish ahead of second-placed Germany and Australia in third." ·