Henry opens with Games record

Australia’s Jodie Henry has thrown the gauntlet down to world record holder Lisbeth Lenton, breaking the Commonwealth Games record for the women’s 100m freestyle in the qualifying heats this morning at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

Henry clocked 54.52 to lower the record just moments after fellow Aussie Alice Mills (54.80) had broken the mark in an earlier heat. Mills is second-fastest qualifier for the semi-finals this evening, with Lenton (55.04) coming in third, however, she said she was quite pleased with the time.

“I’ve had a fairly big program these six days so I have to conserve energy. I’m really happy with that time and there’s going to be good swimming tonight,” Lenton said.

The absence of Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett has opened the door for the rest of the world’s swimmers in the men’s 200m freestyle event. Only 0.17 of a second separates the top five qualifiers for tonight’s final, with England’s Ross Davenport leading the charge in a time of 1:48.76.

Canadians Rick Say (1:48.77) and Brent Hayden (1.48.93) were close behind, while Nicholas Frost (1:49.61) will be Australia’s sole participant, finishing third in his heat to sneak into the final as the eight-fastest qualifier.

A swarm of Aussies surround South African Roland Schoeman, heading into the semi-finals of the men’s 50m butterfly.

Matthew Targett (23.9) was second-fastest qualifier with Michael Klim (24.04) and Matthew Welsh (24.18) also in the top four, but they’ll have their work cut out catching Schoeman, who put in a great swim that came close to his world record.

Australians Sophie Edington (1:01.32) and Tayliah Zimmer (1:01.94) are both well-placed to make the final of the women’s 100m backstroke, after they qualified first and third respectively for the semi-finals to be held tonight.

England’s Melanie Marshall, already a medallist at these Games, splits the pair, with another Australian, Giaan Rooney (1:02.88) in sixth place.

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