First swimming gold GB retain title

[CharlieH]

 

Great Britain retained their Olympic 4x200m freestyle relay title in commanding fashion to secure the team's first swimming gold in Paris.

After Adam Peaty and Matt Richards came agonisingly close with silvers, the same quartet that won in Tokyo - Richards, James Guy, Tom Dean and Duncan Scott - reunited to win in the cauldron of La Defense Arena.

They had a slender lead going into the final leg but Scott, who was a cruel fourth in the individual event 24 hours earlier, brought the team home to win by a relatively comfortable 1.35 seconds.

As the 27-year-old came down the final length, his fellow Scot Andy Murray prolonged his tennis career with another remarkable doubles victory in a special few moments for Team GB in Paris.

After the medal ceremony, the Britons celebrated with their families in the stands - something they were unable to do during the Covid-19-impacted Games in 2021.

"It feels different for so many reasons but mostly because my family and friends are in the crowd," said Dean. "That is the most special thing.

"It is all I have been thinking about since we won it in Tokyo, to do it again."

Victory made this the first time a British relay quartet have retained an Olympic title in swimming or athletics.

It brought Team GB a fourth gold of the Games, taking their medal total to 12.

Kieran Bird, who like Richards was born in England and swims for Wales, and Jack McMillan from Northern Ireland will also receive medals having filled in for Richards and Scott in the morning heats.

 

FULL STORY