1974 champion's tribute to Davies

Davies added the gold to his bronze medal, won earlier

The last winner of a Commonwealth Games swimming medal for Wales, 32 years ago, has joined tributes to David Davies.

The 21-year-old Barry swimmer was almost 12 seconds ahead to win the 1500m freestyle in Melbourne.

Pat Bevan, who won gold in the 200m breaststroke in 1974, called Davies' feat "absolutely fantastic".

First Minister Rhodri Morgan called it "an outstanding performance and a fantastic achievement".

Davies' first coach Diane Hughes said he always had potential.

She said: "He was very good - all his strokes when he was nine-years-old were very, very good. He was a talented young lad".

Steve Airey, president of Swim Wales, said he had been an inspiration, especially to younger swimmers.

"David Davies has always been a great ambassador for the club and for Wales for many years. He's given a lot of his time and attention to what we're trying to achieve".

Liam Turner, a member of the British and Welsh team, was among swimmers watching the race in Cardiff.

Davies became the first non-Australian Commonwealth champion at 1,500m since the 1954 Vancouver Games. Enlarge Image

He said: "I was training with him out in Australia and he was absolutely unbelievable, training with him is inspiring".

Fellow Welsh team member Bethan Thomas added: "It's really good for Welsh swimming - it's really a big inspiration for all those young people who swim and really good for Cardiff as well, a boost for morale".

First minister Mr Morgan added: "There must have been three million people in Wales perched on the edge of their seats this morning willing David Davies on to gold".

Davies, who won a bronze medal at the Athens Olympics, admitted he had been "pretty nervous" before the race but the victory was a big relief.

"It's a massive weight off my shoulders - I can start to enjoy it a bit more now".