It’s backto-back Olympic titles for what so many defined as the dream team and this wonderful quartet, all returning from Tokyo, delivered a supreme win in the men’s 4x200m freestyle. They led after each leg, defying any lingering doubts from so many close calls in individual swimming events at Paris 2024 so far.
The ever-dependable James Guy did his job leading off, Tom Dean followed and Matt Richards brushed off any disappointment from the 100m freestyle earlier in the evening. Then Duncan Scott, who now has a seventh Olympic medal to sit third on the all-time rankings, did what he does best and broke 1min 44secs to bring it home for an overall time of 6mins 59.43secs.
They were stronger together once more, in what was the first time a British relay quartet have retained an Olympic title in swimming or athletics, leaving the United States, 1.35secs back, to settle for silver, and Australia in bronze after an engrossing relay at La Defense Arena.
Three years ago Dean, Guy and Richards could be seen screaming at Scott as he came home on the anchor leg to secure a memorable gold. Such was their dominance, three seconds ahead of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and just threehundredths of a second off the world record of Michael Phelps and the USA, Guy could take a moment to soak it in.
He twisted away in disbelief, turning his back to the pool with tears trickling down his face. But this time there was a steely look to him, validating their own expectations with his arms outstretched. They knew they were the favourites here and they all expertly held their nerve.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 31, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 31, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Carse justifies England faith as the archetypal bold pick
If you won a boxing match after your opponent continually punched themselves in the face, how much credit can you take?
Tenacious Diallo the key to Amorim pressing machine
Old Trafford has not seen anything like this before.
Gold King Cole packs the Bridge with merry old souls
In the 83rd minute, the ball rolled to the feet of Cole Palmer in a bubble of space outside Aston Villa's box, and the crowd snapped to attention.
Vibrant Anfield marks the changing of the Guardiola
There was a lull in the noise, a break in the Anfield atmosphere, when a defiant chant emerged from a corner near Stefan Ortega’s goal.
What is so daunting about Spain's new data checks?
Q You have written about the new “red tape” for visitors to Spain. So, as well as your usual passport details you will give a contact number, address and email. Not exactly the Spanish Inquisition, is it?
Sectarian clashes claim at least 130 lives in Pakistan
At least 130 people were killed in deadly sectarian clashes in Pakistan's northwestern Kurram district in spite of a tentative ceasefire, days after gunmen opened fire on a convoy of vehicles carrying Shia Muslims, local officials said.
Coalition government likely in Ireland as count proceeds
Fianna Fail say decisions on power-sharing for another day’
How Syria's forgotten war is back on the world's agenda
Many believed the country was lost in an unsolvable conflict, until everything changed in a matter of days, writes Bel Trew
Assad regime scrambles to halt Syrian rebels’ advance
Civilians reportedly killed by Russian and Syrian airstrikes
Mother of poisoning victim says she knew she would die
Lawyer Simone White succumbed to the effects of methanol while backpacking in Laos with two of her childhood friends
