Swimming: Silver lining to Foster cloud

Britain's women swimmers won a share of silver at the World Championship in Japan yesterday to ensure there would be no repeat of the Olympic medal drought.

The 4x100 metres relay team's second place made up for Mark Foster's disappointing showing in the 50m freestyle when his bid to win Britain's first world gold in 26 years floundered in Fukuoka.

Foster finished equal seventh and was told by performance director Bill Sweetenham to concentrate on short course swimming where he has had so much success.

Ipswich veteran Karen Pickering conjured up a storming anchor leg allowing her and teammates Alison Sheppard, Melanie Marshall and Rosalind Brett to finish on 3:40.80, the same time as the United States. Germany won in 3:39.58.

Pickering said: 'The medal will look nice with my collection.'