Tokyo 2020: Team GB snatch incredible GOLD in swimming mixed 4x100m medley relay with world record time
ADAM PEATY was part of ANOTHER world record as GB claimed their seventh swimming medal of Tokyo 2020.
The golden boy of British swimming took the second leg of the 4x100m mixed medley relay.
But the stars of the show were James Guy, who took Team GB from fourth to first in his butterfly swim and then anchor Anna Hopkin, who brought the team home in a glorious 3:37.58 to beat China and Australia.
Peaty and Guy celebrated wildly, with the ‘Staffordshire pool terrier’ lifting opening leg swimmer Kathleen Dawson off her feet before hugging her in glee.
And it sets up a potential eighth medal – and fifth gold – in the men’s medley relay tomorrow.
It was a remarkable team effort, started by Dawson, who was up against American Ryan Murphy in the opening backstroke leg.
She handed over the Peaty in sixth, with the 200m breaststroke champion making up two places but closing the gap.
That gave Guy, in bits during the 4x200m relay swim, who swam a brilliant 50.00 butterfly split to hand Hopkin a narrow lead over China.
And Hopkin not only fended the Chinese off, but went further and further clear to win by more than a second.
‘BELIEF’
Peaty said: “My legs were shaking before I went in.
“I knew I had to show my experience and maturity and not get carried away with trying to catch the Americans.
“But it feels great. I get a bit carried away.
“It’s amazing to be part of these amazing women – and James.”
Guy said: “It can be summed up in one word – belief.
“We have champions who believe they can win and break world records and have shown it again.
“But credit to Adam – he has changed British swimming massively and he’s one of my best friends.
“We’ve trained so hard for this. It has paid off and been worth it.”
Hopkin added: “I was trying not to think how far ahead we were. When I turned I could see I was still clear and just went for it.”
The day had started with US star Caeleb Dressel winning his third gold of the Games and fifth in total with a stunning world record 10m butterfly swim of 55.45 secs to see off Hungary’s Kristoff Milak.
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Katie Ledecky got one back over Aussie nemesis Ariarne Titmuss when she held on to win the 800m freestyle.
And Kaylee McKeown added 200m backstroke gold to her 100m title, edging out Kylie Wasse of Canada and fellow Aussie Emily Seebohm.
Britain’s Ben Proud qualified fifth for the 50m freestyle.