Tancock Sidelined by Broken Wrist

LONDON, April 19. COMMONWEALTH Champion Liam Tancock has been forced out of the water after breaking his wrist in an accident that could well ruin his plans for the season. Less than a month after Tancock collected gold at the Melbourne Games, thanks to victory in the 100 backstroke, his long-course season has been left in tatters after a fall down a flight of stairs at the family home in Exeter during an Easter break.

Yet the Loughborough University-based swimmer, who celebrates his 21st birthday next month, is determined to make a swift return to the form that brought him one world championship, three Commonwealth and three European (short course) medals over the past eight months. At last year’s World Championships in Montreal, Tancock won bronze in the 50 back.

"I couldn't believe it. I just slipped down the stairs and banged my wrist," explained Tancock. "It hurt a bit but I carried on until the evening when I noticed just how swollen it was. I got it checked out and discovered I'd broken my radius at the wrist of my right arm. To be honest I was pretty shocked."

Tancock is aiming to do all he can now to ensure he has the best recovery possible while trying to maintain his fitness levels.

"My forearm is in a cast at the moment and I should wear that between four to six weeks. But my aim is to try to get the cast off as early as possible so I can get back into training to repair the damage done," said Tancock. "I've been training already to keep my fitness levels up. I had plans for this season, I have the European Championships coming up in July and I wanted to go to Budapest to improve on what I've done with my career so far."

Coach Ben Titley is confident Tancock will make a full recovery due to the determination and commitment already shown in such as short career and together they are looking at the positives they could take from the situation.

"It might set him back in the short term, in regards to the goals we have for this summer's European Championships, but with Liam I'm sure there will be positives to come from this," Titley said. "It's going to give him the opportunity to work on some of the weaker areas of his swimming while he's unable to train fully and these improvements will definitely benefit him in the longer term."

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