Report from Taipei - Monday 7th September.

Well, today, the first day of the swimming games, has arrived - the event we have been building up to for the last 6 months. The swimmers travelled to the competition venue in coaches under police escort early this morning, and the parents got into a selection of taxis. Driving here has to be seen to be believed, as the proliferation of scooters carrying all the family and all their possessions is a sight most unusual! Anyway, we all got to the venue and had to go through rigorous security checks including drinking some water from our bottles in front of the guards. Eventually, after temperature checks and the obligatory spraying of hands with antibacterial gel, we were let into the venue. First up was the girls' 400 free, where our 16-year-old from Wisconsin (don't ask - Scunthorpe really!) got to the finals. After the 100 fly races, both for men and women, we got to the 50 breaststroke for men. Tom was drawn in heat 3 of 5. They had lights on the blocks. Tom stunned us by coming out in his FS Pro - a rare outing indeed especially for someone who isn't keen about wearing body suits. Where were his new Arenas? They said "Take your marks, go", the lights flashed, and Tom remained on the blocks! He dived in after everyone else, and did a creditable 36.38 (a personal best and we think he might have come 24th overall?). Why then did I hear Jim Hobbs, saying "Shocking start" in my ear? It turned out that Tom had never used the lights and just messed up. Still, he can't say that tomorrow.
After this, we ended up the session with the boys' 4 x 200m freestyle relay, where Team GBR, including Tom, just missed out on a final place, coming 9th against some tough opposition.
The finals were at 5pm, and all the swimmers and parents went back to the pool for these, despite only one of the team, Hannah from Wisconsin/Scunthorpe, being in the finals. She came 3rd in the 400 free, and she was therefore the recipient of the first GB medal in any discipline! They do a proper medal ceremony with flag-raising and lots of hand-shaking, which was lovely to see. Another nice connection with home is that an acquaintance of Matt Kidd's, Terence Rankin from South Africa won the men's 50 breaststroke final.
So, tomorrow brings the 400 freestyle for Tom (the first time he will have swum this long-course!). Fingers crossed, over and out for tonight!