MELKSHAM’S swimming star, Rachel Williams, has described competing for Wales at the Commonwealth Games as “the best week of my life.”
Rachel, who learnt to swim in the Melksham Blue Pool and was coached by local people, is pleased with her performances after she reached two team finals, beat a personal best and reached an individual semi-final.
“I have had the best week of my life racing at the Commonwealth Games; it has been an experience I will never forget!” she said. “I can’t believe six days have gone so fast, I’m so proud to be a part of Team Wales.”
Rachel kickstarted her time in Glasgow with a strong performance in the 200m freestyle, in a tough heat that saw Australian swimmer Emma McKeon break the Commonwealth Games record.
Rachel finished in 2.01.84 which represents one of her quickest ever times over the distance.
The following day she came fourth in her heat of the 100m backstroke to qualify for the semi-finals, in which she achieved sixth place with a time of 1:02:48, placing her 12th overall.
Then on Sunday Rachel swam the heats in the 200m individual medley in 2:17.70, beating her personal best and earning her fifth place in the heat with the 13th fastest time.
She then swam with two relay teams, both of whom reached the finals. The 4x200m freestyle relay team were unfortunately disqualified from their final, but the 4x100m medley team finished fifth in their heat to earn their place in the final.
Sadly, Rachel missed out on a place in the team for the final after she was replaced by Georgia Davis who had already won a silver in the 100m backstroke and broken the Commonwealth Games record at 50m backstroke.
The Welsh swimming squad earned four medals between them, with Rachel’s teammates Jazz Carlin and Georgia Davies winning a gold and silver medal respectively, and setting two Commonwealth records each.
Rachel earned her palce at the Commonwealth Games after winning four medals and setting a national record at last year’s ASA National Championships.
