Richards & Scott 1:44s Take Paris 200 Tickets, Dean & Guy Ensure Awesome Foursome Will Defend 4×200 Crown For Great Britain
Battling 1:44s from Matt Richards and Duncan Scott and 1:45s from Tom Dean and James Guy over 200m freestyle solved the impossible sum of two solo slots between four Olympic champions, three World champions and a European champion, the joy in the equation the return of Britain’s awesome foursome to defend the 4x200m Olympic crown in Paris.
Richards, 1:44.69, the second fastest of his career; Scott, 144.75, 4th career best; Dean, 1:45.09, shy of his 1:44.22 national record, Tokyo winning time; Guy, 1:45.28, 4th career best and his fastest in seven years of asking, since 2017. Just 0.59sec between gold and fourth. And Scott’s University of Stirling teammate Jack McMillan in line for a first-reserve spot on 1:46.19.
Devastating for Dean that he was not at his best this day and cannot defend the 200m title he claimed 0.04sec ahead of Scott in Tokyo three years ago? In the quietest moments, probably, but Dean knows that there’s only pride to be had when the gaps are measure in slithers of excellence.
He and the other three men are bigger than self, their bond unshakeable in the show-stopping final of the 2024 British Championships and Olympic trials in London this evening.
Richards – Tokyo Apprentice Turned Master
What a race! To the first turn, Richards, Dean, Guy and Scott, within 0.2 of each other. Half-way, Guy, Richards, Scott, Dean, the spread now 0.7, Guy on 50.58 and forcing the pace, Richards just inside 51, Scott 0.04 over, Dean on 51.28.
Down. The third length, the water reverberated with the edge of ambition and passion rumbling from the Olympic and World relay champions who have driven the hardest of rewarding bargains in their business these past several years to become the 4×200 force to beat, their 6:58.58 victory from Tokyo the swiftest ever swum in textile, the American’s world record from 2009 in shiny suits banned since January 1, 2010 just 0.03sec away.
At the last turn, Guy the Brave, the 2015 World champion denied an Olympic medal by the presence of Sun Yang* in 2016, held the fort on 1:17.56, off 26.98, Richards on 1:17.73 (26.88), Scott 1:18.07 (27.03) and Dean 1:18.23 (26.95).
Scott rippled off the wall with a lightness of might and the battle was on, everything it had promised to be. He delivered the fastest home comer in the race, a rattling, tub-thumping 26.68, but Richards, the 2023 World champion and apprentice of the Tokyo 4×200 squad who has since mastered controlled speed and the art of racing, had done enough.
His 26.96 making him the man who stopped the clock first, by 0.06sec over Scott. Dean dashed him in 26.86 to grab the bronze, Guy feeling the weight of his courage with a 27.72 close that granted him passage to Paris for a third Olympic Games as the most decorated of Britain’s relay giants.
There were a few modest, celebratory clenched fists and jaws that melted to smiles from the top two through before the wash had settled. But the bond too strong, the moment too small for the solo to take up too much oxygen and the unprompted answers from all four men turned almost instantly to talk of the relay and the bigger moment to come.
The Games is where it’s at and the leap from ‘trial’ to ‘bring it on’ was tangible in the talk that followed the fight.
Guy was up first: “It was nice to finally qualify for the team… had to wait until the last day but to qualify again and for my third Olympic Games is pretty special.” Indeed it is. His best in seven years and 4th fastest ever behind three 1:45.1s from 2015 (world title), 2016 and 2017.
The man on the microphone said “I’m going to send you off this way” and because Guy was not on the Championship podium, he left the stage. What a shame. Sod the national podium and whatever protocol was in play! Here was a chance to have the the Olympic-champion quartet stand shoulder to shoulder throughout ceremonies of any kind after they’d just chucked a gauntlet at the feet of any out their craving their crown in Paris. Combined time: 6:59.81. With flying starts? World record.
As photo opportunities go, that surely ranks way up there and, thankfully, the champions were not about to let it swim away from them. When the chat was done, they called the stalwart back and had a heartening hug (see gallery below). In it together, to the last, with not a drop, morsel of nano-whatever held back come the drop.
Richards, like Guy, formerly at Bath but now at Millfield under the guidance of Ryan Livingstone, coached by noted it was “great fun to race these boys, and especially with that relay … we’ll all get to race together in the summer and everyone knows just how exciting that is. It’s a privilege and an honour to be able to race alongside them.”
Later, when he met the media, Richards, with victory in the 100m, and silver in the 50 inside the Paris cut already in the bag this week, had these gems to add: “I’m so pleased with that, it’s a great result, both for myself and for the team. That 4x200m Free relay is really exciting, as is the 4x100m free and the 4x100m medley … coming up in the summer … I’ve made three individual events for the summer, so it’s going to be a really busy eight or nine days – but I can’t wait. I’m living the dream, this is what I’ve always wanted to do and I couldn’t be happier.”
Richards: “I’ve always said that gold is the only colour you ever really want in sport”
His schedule is likely to include six events, all three sprint free solos and all three men’s relays. Asked what his goals were for Paris, he said:
“I’ve always said that gold is the only colour you ever really want in sport, because any time you get silver or bronze, it’s always a bit bittersweet. So the goal in the summer is just to win as much gold as we possibly can. I’ll dream big, work really hard over the next few months leading into it and the world is your oyster.
“That relay has come off the back of some incredible individual performances. We’ve seen Jimmy Guy, world champion in 2015, these two guys [Duncan and Tom] winning gold and silver in Tokyo, myself and Deano winning gold and silver at the Worlds in 2023, so we’ve got some real pedigree in that 200m Free, and that in turn has created an unbelievable 4x200m Free team. We can’t get complacent, it’s not going to be easy in the summer, we’ve just got to get in there and give it our all.”
Matt Richards
Scott, who will take on the 100 and 200m free with Richards, as well as the 200m medley and may also play a hand in three relays in Paris, summed up neatly the challenging nature of wanting to win and get all the desired selections while knowing that means your brothers-in-aquatics-arms may not.
Coached by Steve Tigg at the University of Stirling, Scott said: “It’s always so difficult. There are only two individuals spots, and I’ve been on the wrong side of that, last year. At the same time, it sort of urges everyone on. There’s real good quality in that race and its really exciting for the 4×2 but it’s a tough call all week. That 200 free is always in the back of your mind. Another exciting one and I’m really happy with that.” Speaking to the media later, he added:
“It’s always a blanket finish in that event, you never really know for sure where you are in that race. I’ve had Jimmy (James Guy) next to me swimming that race for so many years. It’s a really difficult final, there’s always so much emotion that comes with it. With guys either side of you, either really excited or locked out of it as well.
“Deano (Tom Dean) is one of my close mates and it’s difficult seeing that, but it’s sport as well. It’s both tough, but also really exciting for that 4×2 as well with the quality we’ve got. I think the way my stroke is, it’s a little bit better when I’m more relaxed. Those boys in the call room make me relaxed, having a nice little bit of a joke: that’s the pleasure with the 200 free, since I’ve been part of the team with Jimmy since 2015.
“It’s always good swimming with those guys and I also enjoy it outside the pool environment, hanging out with them, stuff like that, which makes it that extra bit special when you get to race with them internationally, or as sad as it is, going head-to-head with them domestically.
“It was great to see Jack (McMillan) in the shadows there, going a 1:46.1, that’s a massive PB. I get to train with him day in day out and he beats me from time to time. The quality he has, it’s great to see him delivering as well. We saw it at Worlds this year, the 4×2 is moving on so it’s going to be a tricky one this summer.
Duncan Scott
Then came the moment the crowd in venue and out in livestream world was waiting for: what would the Olympic champion have to say about not being able to defend that crown?
Nothing. Because he was never asked.
Could he sum up his week. A gracious Dean, coached by Dave McNulty at Bath, said: “Coming here and qualifying for Paris was what I came to do. I did that on my first race [100 free], then the 200IM and I knew it would take an immense effort against these boys but we’re going back to the Olympics, to Paris, to defend. Fortunately I’ve got lots of family and friends here supporting me so I’m very lucky … so thank you very much.”
The men accepted their medals and then called James Guy back into the fold, a captain of ambition, drive, inspiration. What a moment:
In a tweet later, Guy, who moved from his long-term base at Bath to Millfield last year for his final crack at making the Olympic team and podium, wrote: Thanks @MillfieldSport and my coach Ryan Livingstone for believing in me, and my capabilities in this sport. Fastest time in 8 [actually seven] years. Thank you.”
Again… Worth noting Guy’s soaring relay contribution for Britain (and England):
For Britain: 2015-2023
- Olympic Games – 2 gold, 3 silver
- World Championships (LC) – 5 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze
- European Championships (LC) – 7 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze
For England:
- Commonwealth Games – 2 gold, 7 silver, 4 bronze – 2014-2018
Top Of The Heap Of A Golden Tally
Olympic
2021 Tokyo 4×200 m freestyle
2021 Tokyo 4×100 m mixed medley
2016 Rio 4×200 m freestyle
World LC Champs
2015 Kazan 200 m freestyle
2015 Kazan 4×200 m freestyle
2017 Budapest 4×200 m freestyle
2019 Gwangju 4×100 m medley
2023 Fukuoka 4×200 m freestyle
On other last-days finals, there were Paris cuts for Oliver Morgan and Luke Greenbank in the 200m backstroke and Anna Hopkin in the 100m freestyle.
Men’s 200m backstroke – Morgan Takes Back To Back Titles & Greenbank Inside Paris Cut With Him on Low 1:56s
All three podium placers raced inside the qualification time for Paris but only two can go: Oliver Morgan, who had a roaring last length and grabbed victory in the touch in 1:56.27, took the automatic ticket, with Olympic bronze medallist Luke Greenbank on 1:56.39 for the second berth, subject to all but certain BOA confirmation in the week ahead. That left Brodie Williams, Commonwealth champion for England, in 2022, locked out in 1:57.02.
Jonathan Marshall led the pace to the last turn, on 27.09, 56.08, and 1:26.22, Greenbank among those never far away, on 27.38, 56.39 and 1:26.43.
Experience and skill rattling through his every sinew, Greenbank drove off the last wall like the 1:54 national-record holder and Worlds silver medallist he is. By the time he broke into stroke, Greenbank was head and shoulders ahead and on a roll.
It wasn’t until 20 metres to go, however, that it became obvious that 100m champion Morgan was gathering momentum after splits of 27.45, 56.98 and 1:27.01. He drew level with Greenbank within a couple of strokes of the decision, which went his way on the strength of his edge of peace and reach.
Morgan, coached by Adam Baker at Birmingham University, noted that “last 50 felt really strong”. It looked it: 29.26, compared to 29.96 for Greenbank, and 29.49 for Williams.
Greenbank, coached by Mel Marshall at Loughborough and inching back towards best form just in time for the big one this summer, said: “Hats off to all the others, [it was]really world-class down that last 50 and great to see our event move on in last few years. Hopefully put my name in the mix; will wait to hear next week.
Williams, was “a little disappointed not to get the time and finish top 2.” He hadn’t realised he was in fact inside the 1:57.28 cut. He took heart in the fact that the two ahead of him are the British 100m and 200m record holders – and the presence of his family up in the stands.
Women’s 100m freestyle – Anna Hopkin At The Double
Anna Hopkin, coached by Mel Marshall at Loughborough, clocked 53.33, off a 25.61 split for her second Olympic-qualification time of the week to collect her second British title in four days after a swift triumph in the 50m on Wednesday.
There were other tickets to Paris on the line, for the relay, but the race left the matter up in the air. Teenager Eva Okaro, of Repton, produced her second lifetime best of the day for silver in 54.46, with Freya Anderson on 54.59, and Freya Colbert, already on the Paris team as 400IM champion, fourth in 55.10.
Those four time do not sum up to the right side of the qualifying time set by British selectors, even though Britain did qualify a quartet for the Paris Games. Anderson was racing for the first time this week and is still to return to full training after a bout of glandular fever early in the year pout her out of action.
Selectors must now decide whether to take the best times of Hopkin, Anderson and Colbert, as well as Abbie Wood, who won the 200IM yesterday, and then decide whether to hand Okaro the kind of opportunity that would serve as a great encouragement not only for a young sprinter with fine potential but a developing women’s 4x100m free quartet.
Women’s 100m breaststroke – Evans by 0.06sec Over Hanlon
In heats, Angharad Evans fell a whisker shy of the national record in 1:06.27, 0.06sec shy of the standard set by now-retired Molly Renshaw in 2021, and 0.04sec inside the cut for the Paris Olympic Games.
The final was a more nervy affair and at the turn, Evans was 0.1sec slower that she had been in heats but the promise of a Paris ticket was still alive. In the fight for the wall, Evans, of the University of Stirling, tightened up a touch as Kara Hanlon, of Edinburgh University, drew levels with her. The two battled to the wall, Evans taking the title by 0.06sec in 1:06.56, over Hanlon’s 1:06.60, both shy of the Paris mark, which biased to be swum in the final at trials according to the selection policy. The bronze went to Imogen Clark in 1:07.37.
Selector discretion will decide whether Evans makes the Paris team list when the BOA confirm selections this week. Had the medley relay qualified for Paris, Evans would have had a better chance but with no medley relay, any selection of swimmers who did not make the actual cut for a solo event with no relay rider could be complicated.
Women’s 800m Free – Blocksidge Makes It Another 800-1500 Double at 14
Amelie Blocksidge was born in the year shiny suits were banned. In the fourth Olympic cycle since, she’s a double British distance freestyle champion at the age of 14. Having taken the 1500m freestyle in 16:10, a lifetime best by 9sec, last Wednesday and added silver in the 400m on Friday, the City of Salford promise coached by former national age-group butterfly champion John Stout, added the 800m title in 8mins 32.61.
That broke her own national 14 years record by 0.04sec. At 13 last year, Blocksidge claimed her first 800m national title and then added the 1500m crown on her 14th birthday before going on to claim international honours with gold in the 800 (her 8:32.65 set a National 14 years record and was the fastest 800m in Britain last year) and silver in the 400 at the Euro Youth Olympic festival. That wasn’t the end of a stealer 2023: She also claimed silver in the 800m at the European junior championships and then gold in the European junior 5km open water championships in Corfu.
In general, Britain has slipped away from the ranks of competitive nations in distance freestyle events since the days of Jazz Carlin, one of the Smart Track talent-scouting picks in the era of Bill Sweetenham who went on to claim double Olympic silver behind living legend Katie Ledecky at Rio 2016, four years after she claimed Olympic gold at 15 in the London pool hosting the British Championships this week and every year up to and including the 2028 Olympic trials.
The 800m podium was completed today by Fleur Lewis, 8:36.41, and Michaellla Glenister, 8:43.00.
Team GB – Swimming – For Paris 2024
Great Britain – Paris 2024 Qualifiers (all selections are subject to confirmation from the British Olympic Association after swimming selectors have deliberated)
Men:
Ben Proud – 50m freestyle
Matt Richards – 50, 100 and 200m freestyle, 4×100 and 4x200m freestyle
Duncan Scott – 100, 200m freestyle, 200m medley, 4×100 and 4x200m freestyle
Alex Cohoon – 4x100m freestyle
Tom Dean – 200m medley, 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle
James Guy – 4x200m freestyle
Oliver Morgan – 100 and 200m backstroke and medley relay
Jonathan Marshall – 100m backstroke and medley relay
Luke Greenbank – 200m Backstroke
Adam Peaty – 100m breaststroke and medley relays
Joe Litchfield – 4x100m medley (butterfly)
Max Litchfield – 400m medley
Hector Pardoe – Marathon 10km
Tobias Robinson – Marathon 10km
Women:
Anna Hopkin – 50, 100m freestyle
Freya Colbert – 200m freestyle, 200 and 400m medley, 4x200m freestyle
Abbie Wood – 200m freestyle, 200m medley, 4x200m freestyle
Medi Harris – 4x200m freestyle
Lucy Hope – 4x200m freestyle
Kathleen Dawson – 100m backstroke, medley relays
Honey Osrin – 200m backstroke
Katie Shanahan – 200m backstroke, 400m medley
Keanna Macinnes – 200m butterfly
Laura Stephens – 200m butterfly
Leah Crisp – Marathon 10km
Possible relay reserves* and discretions:
Men: Jacob Whittle (4x100m free); Jack McMillan (4x200m free); James Wilby (4x100m medley)
Women: Eva Okaro (4×100 free); Freya Anderson (4×100 and 4×200 free); Angharad Evans (100m breaststroke, QT in heats)
- – * – subject to selector discretion
TeamGB Swimming Coaches
Head Coaches: Bill Furniss (pool swimming); Nathan Hilton (marathon swimming)
Coaches: Hayley Baker (marathon), Swim Wales High Performance Centre, Swansea; Lisa Bates, Chelsea and Westminster Swimming Club; David Hemmings, Loughborough Performance Centre; Ryan Livingstone, Millfield; Jamie Main, Bath Performance Centre; Melanie Marshall, Loughborough Performance Centre; David McNulty, Bath Performance Centre; Steven Tigg, University of Stirling
Trials Information
- Results in full
- Link to entry list
- Selection policy
- Aquatics GB meet page
- Broadcast & streaming info
- The Vortex: Japanese Olympic trials
- The Cuts
