Rebecca Adlington has claimed that she was pleased to see Jazz Carlin emerge victorious in the 800m freestyle on Monday.
Carlin took the gold after an impressive display in the pool, and Adlington said that she was delighted for the Welsh athlete after a nightmare couple of years.
"If I was going to be replaced by anyone, I'm glad it was Jazz," Adlington told BBC Sport.
"She's had a really tough couple of years after missing out on the Olympics [through illness], and last year at the World Championships, missing out on a medal, so I'm really pleased for her.
"The first Welsh woman in 40 years [to win gold], you could just see how much it meant to her when she was told."
An emotional Carlin thanked her family and friends after the win.