Commonwealth Games 2010: Delhi belly 'will not affect swimmers' performance pay'

British Swimming has promised the Home Nations' competitors who succumbed to Delhi belly last week that it will have their "interests at heart" when it reviews performance-related pay.

National performance director Michael Scott revealed that a dozen athletes, notably Fran Halsall who collapsed poolside, fell foul of mystery illnesses that swept through several nations' camps in New Delhi.

Athlete Personal Awards are made to swimmers on an annual basis and the money comes out of British Swimming's £25 million four-year purse issued by UK Sport, the government quango.

But British Swimming, the national governing body which viewed these Games as its priority meet of the year, stressed that no athlete would be at a disadvantage as London 2012 looms.

"We have an injury and illness clause in our policy," said the Australian, who took the helm at British Swimming in 2007. "I will get a report from the doctor on every athlete on whose performance has been impacted.

"I can guarantee you that I have already told the athletes their interest is at heart. We are not going to undo six to eight years of good years out here. If there is a legitimate illness, then this will be taken into consideration."

A British Swimming spokesman added: "There may be a case where athletes' funding is reviewed every six months as opposed to 12 months. In some aspects it gives the athletes more incentive to perform."

In the pool, Scott believed there were several areas where performances could be raised as they aim to bridge the gap on Australia, the second best nation in world swimming behind the United States.

He said: "We have to convert and improve technically - that's where the Australians showed us up. "

Britain, though, were rewarded with a combined haul of nine golds, 10 silver and 15 bronze in the pool at the Games.

The Australians secured seven medals less than 2006 but with England also improving their tally by six, it meant the gap between the two has considerably narrowed.

However Leigh Nugent, Australia's head coach, still had time to strike an early blow for Britain's chances in London 2012 before leaving Delhi. Nugent said: "Have a look at the scoreboard. I'd think they've taken a big hit here and that they'd have been shaken by their performance here."

Adlington countered: "They have always had that depth. Now we are coming after them and I think we've caught them up and we are going to start overtaking them."

Meanwhile, British Swimming has confirmed to Telegraph Sport that plans to stage the 2013 European Championships in London have been dropped.

Officials will look to accomodate the 2016 event after discussions with LEN, Europe's swimming federation.

Meanwhile, the Duel in the Pool, the Ryder Cup-style event between the United States and Europe, will be staged in Atlanta's Olympic pool in Dec 2011.