Olympics: Tom Dean wins gold in the pool as Team GB medal haul swells

Swimmer Tom Dean edged out compatriot Duncan Scott by 0.04 seconds to add another gold to Team GB’s haul.

The swimmer, who could barely walk up his own stairs six months ago having contracted Covid-19, has become Britain’s first 200m freestyle gold medallist since 1908.

Duncan Scott finishing in the silver medal position marks the first time in more than a century that two British swimmers have finished on the podium together.

Elsewhere overnight, Georgia Taylor-Brown fought back from the brink after suffering a puncture in the final lap of the bike leg in the triathlon.

Taylor-Brown had been leading the field before disaster struck and she suffered a puncture. After the race she said “panic mode” had set in after she was forced to ride the last kilometre with a flat tyre.

Going into the final leg some 22 seconds behind a four-strong leading pack, Taylor-Brown was able to reel in all bar Flora Duffy, who finished one minute and 15 seconds ahead of the pack.

Looking ahead for Team GB, medal hopes are abound in the dressage, an historically strong area. Charlotte Dujardin will be looking to become the first British woman to win golds at three separate games.

This morning, Team GB men’s sevens side advanced to the semi-finals of the Olympics after a comeback win against the USA having been 21-0 down.

They will meet New Zealand in the last four tomorrow.

In weightlifting, Sarah Davies, who won a European silver in Moscow three months ago, competes in the 64kg category from 11:50 to 14:00.

Tomorrow could prove another big day in the pool for Team GB as it’s the mens 4x200m freestyle relay. They were crowned World Champions in 2017, but finished a lowly fifth in 2019, a performance they will be looking to improve upon.