Fran's parents set to miss her Beijing quest

Teenager Fran Halsall made sure of a second spot on Britain's Olympic swimming team on Thursday but her parents still fear they will miss Beijing.

Diane and Andy Halsall, like most of the parents of swimmers winning Olympic places this week at the trials in Sheffield, expect to have to watch their children's dream realised on TV at home.

They sacrificed watching their 17-year-old at last year's World Championships in Australia to save enough for Beijing. But a shortage of tickets — Britain have only 30,000 for all 28 sports — may stop them going.

Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy's father, David, has even protested to Olympic minister Tessa Jowell.

Mrs Halsall said: 'You put so much time, effort and money into your child's sport because you want them to succeed. It's very disappointing.'

The British Olympic Association said yesterday that Britain's cycling and swimming tickets had been withdrawn from public sale and priority would be given to parents.

Halsall had guaranteed a place in the 100metres freestyle by finishing second and yesterday won the 50m freestyle.

And on Thursday night Rebecca Adlington claimed her second Commonwealth best of the week when she smashed Sarah Hardcastle's longest-standing British women's record in the 800m freestyle.

Hardcastle had held it since 1986 but the 19-year-old destroyed it by more than five seconds in 8:19.22.

'I can't believe it,' said Adlington. 'I always knew it was there and my mum promised me a pair of shoes if I got it.'