Jason touched the wall two-hundredth of a second ahead of the Australian. Huegill, a former World championship medallist and record-holder, lost it 23.37 to 23.35 but had the satisfaction of pushing defending champion Roland Schoeman (South Africa) to the third place. Ace Indian swimmer Virdhawal Khade finished a credible seventh in this event.
Huegill, who won CWG titles back to back in 1998 and 2002, returned to the Games in Delhi and became victorious in three events. Popularly known as ‘Skippy’ in his friends’ circle, Huegill took a hiatus of three years between 2005 and 2007 before returning to competition in the middle of 2008. During that period he was said to have lost an amazing 45 kgs of body weight in order to become fit for competition.
Jason was on the lead in the 100m fly, touching home in 24.02 in front of Huegill who made it in 24.18. However the Australian swam the race of his year to touch the wall first on his return journey in 51.68 for the gold and his third ever title. Antony James (GBR) and Ryan Pini of Papua New Guinea tied for silver in 52.50 clocking. A tiring Jason finished fifth in that race.
Alicia Jayne Coutts outclassed compatriot Emily Seebohm to win her first gold of the Games with a world leading 2:09.70 in the women’s 200m individual medley on the opening day. It was in fact the best ever mark achieved in textile suit.
Francesca Halsall (GBR) surprised everyone on Day 2 as she beat World champion Marieke Guehrer (AUS) in the 50m butterfly. Halsall, the world silver medallist from 2009, competed in six events in Delhi. She could have achieved a record haul had she not been affected by an upset belly and down with illness.
Coutts, however, made it a memorable outing and bagged five gold medals, three of them from individual events — 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 200 IM. With the absence of Australian star Stephanie Rice, women’s events were dominated by teammates breaststroker Leisel Jones and Emily Seebohm besides Coutts. The Australian women took 15 titles while the men got five crowns.
Canadians Brent Hayden and Ryan Cochrane were unstoppable as they took a double each to put their team on the orbit. Hayden, 2007 world champion, clocked a world leading 47.98 to win the 100m freestyle.
English boys Liam Tancock and James Goddard performed equally well to take their team sky-high in the men’s swimming. After a successful European championship the British were on a high note and thus improved their medal tally with six more from the previous edition held in Melbourne in 2006.
The Australians, however, won seven medals lesser than from their home effort four years ago. South Africans also had double-double to their credit through Cameron van der Burgh and Chad Le Clos. Moreover, South African para-swimming legend Natalie du Toit exhibited an enchanting athleticism as she posted a new "Games Record" of 29.17 in the 50m freestyle for S9 classification. She holds the world's best time for this event (29.04) since 2006.
In diving, the Canadians took five out of the ten titles on offer. Despite stiff competition, it was a triple for Alexandre Despatie while teammate Jennifer Abel garnered two gold and one silver medal among women.
Canada triumphed also in synchronised swimming as Marie Pier Boudreau-Gagnon performed her Solo before teaming up with Chloe Isaac to cap in on the Duet.
FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione graced the Games with his august presence along with other leading functionaries of the world swimming community.