SWIMMING

SWIMMING

PALMER CLAIMS AUSTRALIA'S FIRST GAMES GOLD

The battle for the other podium positions went down to the wire, with Wales' Jaz Carlin (1:58.29) and England's Rebecca Adlington (1:58.47) winning silver and bronze.

Brisbane-based Palmer went in to the four-length race as the fastest qualifier ahead of team-mate Blair Evans, who finished in sixth place.

The 20-year-old struck out after the second turn and touched home in 1:57.50 to set Australia on course to retain top spot in the pool.

The top six women all swam under 1:59, with early race leader Genevieve Saumur from Canada missing out on bronze by four hundredths of a second.

Palmer said she was over the moon with the win.

"I am speechless," she said afterwards. "I really have nothing to say. It is an awesome feeling. You can't get any better than winning a gold medal.