Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Team GB rowing woe continues as Helen Glover and Polly Swann miss out on a medal

Helen Glover and Polly Swann were denied the fairytale finish to their Olympic story as they finished fourth on a morning where Team GB’s medal glut at Tokyo 2020 slowed.

Having been crowned European champions in the spring, Glover – chasing a third Olympic gold medal – and Swann were thought to stand a good chance of a medal in the women’s pair.

It was not to be, however, as they finished two seconds off bronze, with New Zealand claiming gold.

“In Rio I said it was my last one. This time I’m saying ‘no, it’s definitely it’,” Glover said after the race.

It would get more agonising for Team GB as an hour later lightweight sculls pair Emily Craig and Imogen Grant fell short of a medal position by 0.01 seconds.

Great Britain has only claimed one medal so far in rowing at these Games.

Elsewhere, James Whilby finished sixth in the 200m breaststroke after a strong performance in the semi-final.

Zac Stubblety-Cook produced a stunning last lap to break the world record and win gold for Australia.

Looking ahead, Duncan Scott will have a chance for his third medal of the games after he eased into the final with an assured swim in the 200m individual medley.

Later today GB women play New Zealand in their second rugby sevens pool game. While GB women’s hockey face the Netherlands at 11:00 in a repeat of the 2016 gold medal match.

All eyes will be on the gymnastics centre as British twins Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova compete in the women’s all-around final.