Sweetenham hails Games medal haul

Bill Sweetenham says he will step down as British swimming chief in 2008

National performance Director Bill Sweetenham believes he has answered his doubters as British swimmers continue to shine at the Commonwealth Games.

Sweetenham was criticised after the British team failed to live up to expectations at the Athens Olympics.

But English and Scottish competitors have sealed a combined tally of 10 gold medals so far in the Melbourne pool.

Sweetenham said: "These results certainly answers the critics and things will get even better from here."

Criticism intensified on Sweetenham last year when the British team collected just three bronze medals at the World Championships in Montreal.

And the Australian became the subject of an investigation into allegations of bullying, which were subsequently dismissed.

When England and Scotland's results are combined in Melbourne, the gold medal balance tips 10-8 against host nation Australia.

It's been a rough ride but things taste better through adversity Bill Sweetenham

And Sweetenham insisted: "These are the results of changes that coaches and swimmers have made, the challenges we have all endured.

"This generation have a great attitude. In pure technique terms, Britain is now one of the best nations.

"It's been a rough ride but things taste better through adversity.

"It's a nice feeling for me, great for the coaches and the kids who have done the job.

Matthew Clay, who led an English one-two with Liam Tancock in the Commonwealth 50m backstroke, paid tribute to the Great Britain coaching supremo.

Clay told www.swimnews.com: "We have done a lot of work on technique.

"A lot of that comes from Bill Sweetenham. He's taught us skills and the importance of skills."