Disabled Du Toit through to final

South Africa's Natalie du Toit surprisingly qualified today for the 800m freestyle final.

Du Toit, who lost a leg in a road accident last year, edged through in eighth place - the only swimmer with a disability to reach an able-bodied final in Manchester.

The South African, who won the 50m freestyle for Elite Athletes with a Disability (EAD) last night, said: "It's the greatest thing mentally to make a final at the Commonwealth Games to show that disabled people can compete and achieve."

England's Rebecca Cooke recorded the fastest time in the semi-final after carving more than a second off her personal best in eight minutes 33.31 seconds.

The 19-year-old will be joined in tomorrow's final by team-mates Nathalie Brown and Caroline Saxby.

Meanwhile, Sarah Price will be looking to put the disappointment of the Sydney Olympics behind her tonight when she aims for the first of what could be four Commonwealth Games gold medals.

The 23-year-old from Barnet almost quit the sport after food poisoning robbed her of the chance to perform at her best at the Olympics two years ago and she missed out on the final of the 100 metres backstroke.

Price, the European 200m champion, set a new Commonwealth Games record for the 100m backstroke in the semifinals last night to ensure her place as the fastest qualifier going into tonight's final and she hinted she could go even faster.

"I didn't want to go out too fast in the semi-final," she said. "I wanted to save it for tonight and go for it in front of that great crowd in the final. I believe in myself so much more now than in Sydney. I absolutely love it. I just can't wait for the final."

Karen Pickering, already a winner in the 200m freestyle on Tuesday, can strike gold again tonight if she can hold off the challenge of her friend and rival Alison Sheppard in the 100m freestyle.

Australia's Ian Thorpe glided closer to another gold medal in his bid for a recordbreaking seven as he qualified for tonight's semi-final of the 100m freestyle.

The 19-year-old clocked the fastest heat time of 49.76secs.

But Matt Welsh, his big rival in the 100m backstroke which starts tomorrow, was sensationally disqualified in the 200m backstroke heats this morning. The Australians immediately lodged an appeal.

Scotland's Gregor Tait was left as the second fastest qualifier for the final. England's Simon Militis was third fastest.