Swimming: Francis back to best to win squad place

The British individual medley record holder Robin Francis assured himself of a place on Britain's squad for next month's world championships by winning the 400m IM title at the Scottish championships in Glasgow on Saturday night.

The University of Bath swimmer powered through the final leg to turn what looked like an ordinary swim into one of his fastest performances - just shy of his own record of 4mins, 18.30secs, in fact.

His time of 4:18.68 was well inside the selection time needed (4:19.81) to qualify for a place in the squad for Barcelona and brings to an end a difficult year for Francis, which saw him miss the Commonwealth Games through illness.

"I'm really pleased with that although it did feel awful out there," Francis said. "I wasn't feeling particularly positive as the swim unfolded but as we turned for the breaststroke leg I just dug in and my final freestyle 100m was the quickest I've ever done.

"My goal in Glasgow was to make it on to the national team and that is what I've done. It gives me the chance now to start racing the big guns once again and I'm up for that."