2015 IPC Swimming World Championships
- Live results available here.
- Live video via YouTube for finals will be available here.
- Archived complete day 1 prelims session available here.
Ellie Simmonds, Great Britain, fastest qualifier, women’s 400m freestyle S6
“First swim and it felt really good. I was trying to do what my coach told me to do and looking forward to seeing him, speaking to him and resting up for tonight and getting ready.
“It’s going to be a tough race. It’s going to be really tough against her [Mereshko] so I know it’s going to be a good race but I’m just going to see how it goes and I’m excited.
“400m free, I love it. It’s one of my favourite events. It made me who I am. My first gold medal in Beijing and then getting it in London, so I’m excited.”
Ellie Cole, Australia, fastest qualifier, women’s 100m backstroke S9
“It’s actually my first world record I’ve done, and I walked into this competition not knowing what to expect having had two-and-a-half years out of the water but I felt really good in the warm-up this morning and everything felt like it was flowing well. I just wanted to qualify for lane four tonight and I ended up doing a world record! I should try doing that more often I think!
“Obviously I’m going to go back to the coaches and find out which areas I can improve on because there are always areas you can improve. So I guess after talking to them I’ll have a bit more of a think about it and hopefully go faster tonight.
“I think I can do a bit more work in the first 50m.”
Cole also set a new world record in the heats (1:08.89), breaking Canada’s Stephanie Dixon’s seven year old mark from Beijing 2008.
James Crisp, Great Britain, fastest qualifier, men’s 100m backstroke S9
“It’s good to get in and blow a few of the cobwebs away to be honest. I’ve been looking forward to that, a good heat swim. The British are getting spoiled! London 2012 and now Glasgow.
“I’m sure when they call out my name tonight and I get a cheer that will get the adrenaline pumping. It’s going to be tough race. I don’t think that anyone was really at 11 per cent this morning. All I can do is concentrate on myself, execute my own race properly and I’m in with a chance then.”
Andre Brasil, Brazil, world and Paralympic champion, men’s 50m freestyle S10
“First of all, I start by saying it’s an awesome place with good friends and I just need to enjoy. I don’t know what to expect. Phelipe is a great guy, a great swimmer with a different conception of the sport.
“The only thing for us athletes, the big difference between us guys, the second and third, is here [points at his head]. If your body is ready, your mind is ready then definitely you will win.”
Phelipe Rodrigues, Brazil, fastest qualifier, men’s 50m freestyle S10
“It feels like home, because I raced here two years ago. I know the pool.
“I think the fact that me and Andre race together all time, it’s going to be an interesting show. But I’m pretty confident.”
Daniel Dias, Brazil, world and Paralympic champion, men’s 50m backstroke S5
“I hope I do [go quicker] and I hope he [Andrew Mullen] does. But I will go faster too.
“I think he’s a great athlete and I think it’s going to be a great final and the best is going to win.”
Andrew Mullen, Great Britain, fastest qualifier, men’s 50m backstroke S5
“I’m just excited to get racing so it was nice to have my main event to begin and to start off with a PB and a European record, I can’t complain with that first swim.
“Definitely, everyone can always go faster. I’ll just go back and look at what I can improve on, look at the video footage and hopefully get back and go even quicker tonight.
“I think I’m definitely going to have to go faster. Regardless of who I’m racing I always try and go faster anyway, it’s a personal thing. It’s always my goal to go quicker every time I race.
“I looked up and saw friends and family – it’s so touching that they’ve come here to support me.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without them so when I go and race it’s all for them. It gives me confidence and motivation.”
Mullen also set a new European record in the heats (37.29)
Press release courtesy of IPC Swimming.