Miley's silver smile

Apr 10 2008 By Nick Clowes

TEENAGER Hannah Miley smashed the British and European records as she stormed to a silver medal in the 400m individual medley at the World Short-Course Championships in Manchester.

The 17-year-old, who claimed her second British record in the space of 24 hours, recorded a new best time of 4.27.27 minutes, with Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry landing gold in a new world record time of 4.26.52 last night.

Miley, who was the fastest qualifier for the final, also swam under the previous world record as she held off a late charge from Spain's Mireia Belmonte to finish second on the podium.

"It is my first senior international medal so I'm absolutely delighted," said Miley.

Britain came within a fingertip of World Championship gold during a dramatic 200m freestyle relay final.

The British team of Jo Jackson, Mel Marshall, Caitlin McClatchey and Rebecca Adlington finished 0.06 seconds behind the Netherlands, who set a new world record to top the podium.

Meanwhile, Jess Dickons put a disastrous British Championships firmly in the shade as she landed a surprise bronze medal.

The 17-year-old student upstaged Beijing-bound Jemma Lowe as she edged on to the podium in the final of the 200m butterfly, smashing the British record in the process.

In Sheffield last week, Dickons was left distraught after missing out on Olympic selection after below-par third and fifth place finishes in the 100m and 200m butterfly respectively.

But she recorded a new personal best of 2.05.09 minutes last night, with Mary Descenza landing gold in a new Championship record of 2.04.27 and Felicity Galvez taking the silver medal.