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David Davies (swimmer)
Encyclopedia
David Davies is a Welsh
Commonwealth Games and Olympic
distance swimmer. Born in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Davies swam for Wales at the 2002
and 2006 Commonwealth Games
and represented Great Britain at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics
. As of the end of 2010, he held the British Records in the 400, 800 and 1500 freestyles.
, he won the bronze medal in the men's 1,500m freestyle
, in a time of 14:45.95 (a British and European record). He also swam at the 2004 European Championships and the 2005 World Championships
.
At the 2006 Commonwealth Games
, Davies won the 1,500 freestyle and was third in the 400 freestyle. In 2008, he finished second in the 1500 free at the 2008 Short Course Worlds.
Davies represented Great Britain
at the 2008 Olympics
, swimming in both the pool competition and open water race. In the men's 1500m freestyle race, he finished 6th. In the open-water 10K race in Beijing, Davies finished second in the new Olympic event. Shortly after finishing the event, there was concern for Davies' state of health as First Aid staff rushed to stretcher him off for medical attention. Davies told the BBC
shortly afterward: "For the last part of it I was delirious, I wanted it so bad. I've given it everything - the stretcher at the end was a bit mad but I've got something to show for it. I felt a bit violated to be honest, people swimming all over me, and the last lap was a real struggle.".
Davies qualified for the Olympics 10K at the 2008 Open Water World Championships
in Seville, Spain where he finished just .03 behind the winner.
Short course (25 m)
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
Commonwealth Games and Olympic
Swimming at the Summer Olympics
Swimming has been a sport at every modern Summer Olympics. It has been open to women since 1912. Along with track & field athletics and gymnastics it is one of the most popular spectator sports at the Games and the one with the largest number of events....
distance swimmer. Born in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Davies swam for Wales at the 2002
Wales at the 2002 Commonwealth Games
At the 2002 Commonwealth Games, Wales was represented by the Commonwealth Games Council for Wales . 228 athletes participated for Wales at the games.-Medals:-Gold:* Jamie Arthur, Boxing - Lightweight 60 kg* Nicole Cooke, Cycling - Road Race...
and 2006 Commonwealth Games
Wales at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
The squad to represent Wales at the 2006 Commonwealth Games was announced by the Commonwealth Games Council for Wales on 22 February 2006. It consists of 143 athletes ; 85 fewer than the squad in 2002...
and represented Great Britain at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics
Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Great Britain competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The United Kingdom was represented by the British Olympic Association , and the team of selected athletes was officially known as Team GB. Britain is one of only five NOCs to have competed in every Summer Olympic Games since 1896...
. As of the end of 2010, he held the British Records in the 400, 800 and 1500 freestyles.
International meet participations
At the 2003 European Junior Championships he won a gold medal. At the 2004 OlympicsSwimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics took place in the Olympic Aquatic Centre with the athletes competing in 32 events. There was a total of 937 participants from 152 countries competing.-Medal table:-Men's events:...
, he won the bronze medal in the men's 1,500m freestyle
Freestyle swimming
Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...
, in a time of 14:45.95 (a British and European record). He also swam at the 2004 European Championships and the 2005 World Championships
2005 World Aquatics Championships
The 2005 World Aquatics Championships or the XI FINA World Championships were held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from July 16 to July 31, 2005...
.
At the 2006 Commonwealth Games
Aquatics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
The Aquatics events at the 2006 Commonwealth Games were held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre and were divided into 3 separate disciplines, with medals awarded in 54 events:*Diving *Swimming *Synchronized swimming...
, Davies won the 1,500 freestyle and was third in the 400 freestyle. In 2008, he finished second in the 1500 free at the 2008 Short Course Worlds.
Davies represented Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
at the 2008 Olympics
Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Great Britain competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The United Kingdom was represented by the British Olympic Association , and the team of selected athletes was officially known as Team GB. Britain is one of only five NOCs to have competed in every Summer Olympic Games since 1896...
, swimming in both the pool competition and open water race. In the men's 1500m freestyle race, he finished 6th. In the open-water 10K race in Beijing, Davies finished second in the new Olympic event. Shortly after finishing the event, there was concern for Davies' state of health as First Aid staff rushed to stretcher him off for medical attention. Davies told the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
shortly afterward: "For the last part of it I was delirious, I wanted it so bad. I've given it everything - the stretcher at the end was a bit mad but I've got something to show for it. I felt a bit violated to be honest, people swimming all over me, and the last lap was a real struggle.".
Davies qualified for the Olympics 10K at the 2008 Open Water World Championships
2008 FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships
rightThe 5th FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships were held May 3-8, 2008 in Seville, Spain. The races were held on a 2.5-kilometer loop-course in the Guadalquivir river in the city center....
in Seville, Spain where he finished just .03 behind the winner.
Personal bests and records held
Long course (50 m)Short course (25 m)