Olympics day four: Tom Dean leads relay team as GB look to extend gold rush

Great Britain got off the mark with two golds on Monday and with Dean expected to join forces again with James Guy, Matthew Richards and Duncan Scott, hopes will be high they can defend their men’s freestyle relay title.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what is in store on day four.

Freestyle relay team to fend off all comers?

The men’s 4x200m freestyle relay squad have gold in their sights again after taking top honours in Tokyo.

Dean, Guy, Scott and Richards are all expected to line up, with the latter joining Jacob Whittle in the 100m freestyle heats earlier in the day.

But Alex Yee will have to wait for his chance to go for gold in the men’s triathlon after it was put back a day until Wednesday.

The race has been rescheduled until after the women’s race after latest tests on the water quality of the River Seine failed to reach the required standard.

Team USA shoot for gymnastics gold

There was almost as much to look at in the crowd as there was on the floor when Simone Biles was in action over the weekend.

Tom Cruise, Anna Wintour, Snoop Dogg and Ariana Grande all turned out to watch her perform in individual qualifying, so expect another starry turn out for the women’s all-round final (1715).

Obviously Biles is enough of a celebrity in her own right though and in a team of US stars, all eyes will be on them.

Pidcock king of the mountains again

Pidcock fought back from a puncture to deny French hope Victor Koretzky in a pulsating race on Elancourt Hill.

The reigning world champion recovered from a poor start to take the lead on the third of eight laps in a 35.2km race with Koretzky the only man who could follow his attacks, but Pidcock’s race was in danger of unravelling when he suffered a flat front tyre shortly afterwards.

The incident happened close to the pits but his mechanic was not ready for him and after a slow change, Pidcock fell 40 seconds behind Koretzky to the delight of the home crowds.

However, Pidcock, who pulled out of the Tour de France suffering with Covid only 16 days ago, fought his way to reclaim the lead with a lap-and-a-half to go and – after trading blows with Koretzky over a thrilling final lap – Pidcock saw a gap and stole in front to take the win.

Five-star performance from eventing team

Team GB had been firmly in control of the team eventing competition since day one, so it was a case of job done as the trio secured the title in the showjumping phase.

Collett and McEwen were part of the British team that won gold in Tokyo and cool heads were the order of a very warm day as the British side held off the French challenge.

A clear round from McEwen, with one fence down for Canter and a fence plus a minor time penalty for Collett, saw Britain notch up a record fifth triumph in the team contest.

Collett and McEwen were also in the hunt for individual medals, but German rider Michael Jung was just too good in securing his third win, with Collett taking bronze.

Water way to perform

Tom Daley completed his full set of Olympic medals as he teamed up with Noah Williams to take silver in the men’s synchronised 10m platform final.

Daley had got his hands on gold in the same event at Tokyo 2020 but his runner-up finish meant he completed the set of Olympic medals, having also won three bronzes.

Success in the water was not only confined to the diving pool though, with Matt Richards taking silver in the men’s 200m freestyle and Adam Burgess achieving the same honour in the canoe slalom singles.
It was redemption for Burgess, who avenged his maiden final from three summers ago in Tokyo, where the now-32-year-old finished fourth and missed out on a medal by just 0.16 seconds.

Murray’s last stand?

Could it be his last-ever professional tennis match? Sir Andy and his doubles partner Dan Evans are in action at Roland Garros in the second round, when they are fourth on court.

They take on Belgium’s Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen.

The Brits are not the favourites to win. But this is Andy Murray. He writes his own script.

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Who won Team GB medals on day three of the Paris Olympics?

Gold

Ros Canter, Laura Collett, Tom McEwen – equestrian, eventing team
Tom Pidcock – cycling, men’s mountain bike

Silver

Tom Daley and Noah Williams – diving, men’s 10m synchronised platform
Adam Burgess – canoeing, men’s canoe slalom C1
Matt Richards – swimming, men’s 200m freestyle

Bronze

Laura Collett – equestrian, eventing individual