Swimming: Foster powers to fourth world title

Mark Foster won the gold medal in the 50 metres freestyle at the World Short Course Championships in Indianapolis. The 34-year-old Briton beat Olympic medallists and finalists to claim his fourth world gold in the 25m pool on Saturday.

He adds the 2004 title to golds in 1993, 1999 and 2000 after he touched first in 21.58sec, ahead of the Swede Stefan Nystrand in 21.66sec. The American Nick Brunelli and Nicholas Santos, of Brazil, were tied third in 21.71.

"It is nice to be world champion again," Foster said. "That was a great start. It was probably the fastest I have ever been over the first 25m. I was hanging on at the end, but they had to come past me and I was not going to let that happen.

"I think in this pool the outside lanes have been quicker as there seems to be less turbulence than in the middle. Being in lane two suited me and I just kept my stroke, turned at the right moment then went for the wall."

Coached by the former world champion 110m hurdler Colin Jackson, Foster may be in the twilight of his career, but retirement is not a subject he is really comfortable with.

"A lot of people have been telling me to finish on a high such as this, but I still feel I can do well at the top level and, while I can, I don't think I should stop. There were a lot of Olympic finalists and medallists there and I beat them, which gives me the buzz and the motivation to carry on."