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.
This story is from the July 31, 2024 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the July 31, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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