Spofforth still on course for double
Gemma Spofforth eased through to the semi-finals of the 50metres backstroke at the World Championships in Rome today just 15 hours after winning gold.
The Briton finished third in her heat in 28.19sec to qualify 10th fastest.
Last night, Spofforth overhauled Russian Anastasia Zueva in the final 25m to win the 100m backstroke title in a world record 58.12sec.
She said: "In the last 15 I just gave it all I've got. Zueva always takes it out a lot faster than I do. My strength is in the back end of the race."
Spofforth returns to the pool tonight for the 50m semi-finals but compatriot Lizzie Simmonds will not after finishing 19th in round one.
Ellen Gandy qualified for tonight's 200m butterfly semi-finals as 10th fastest with a time of 2min 7.33sec.
James Goddard and Joe Roebuck made it through in sixth and 15th overall to the semis in the 200m individual medley.
Despite being British record holder in the 100m freestyle, Simon Burnett failed to qualify for that event with his time of 48.57sec, which was good enough only for 20th overall.
