Adam Peaty, Tom Daley, Matty Lee and Tom Pidcock lead Team GB gold rush on day three of Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Adam Peaty, Tom Daley and Matty Lee, and Tom Pidcock all won gold as Team GB kick-started their Tokyo 2020 Olympics on day three.
Swimming star Peaty confirmed his utter domination in the men’s 100m breaststroke, winning the final by six tenths of a second to defend the title he won in Rio de Janeiro five years ago.
Daley improved on his bronze medals from 2012 and 2016, winning the men’s 10m synchro diving with Lee to claim Olympic gold at the fourth attempt.
Pidcock, 21, then won Britain’s first ever gold medal in the men’s mountain bike cross-country event, just two months after breaking his collarbone.
Team GB also landed silver in the men’s triathlon, where 23-year-old Londoner Alex Yee showed why he is tipped to emulate the success of the Brownlee brothers.
Peaty, who is unbeaten in his favoured event for seven years, admitted his relief after winning gold for a second successive Games.
“It just means the world to me,” said the 26-year-old from Uttoxeter, Team GB’s strongest medal hope.
“I thought I had the best preparation but morning finals changed everything and threw that out of window.
“I felt the pressure but I needed to put myself on edge. You can do whatever you want in your own pool but when it comes to being out here it’s not about a time. I was racing myself.”
Dutchman Arno Kamminga took silver medal and Nicolo Martinenghi of Italy the bronze. Peaty’s British team-mate James Wilby finished fifth.
Daley and Lee follow Peaty with gold in pool
Daley, 27, and Lee, 23, broke China’s grip on the men’s 10m synchro, which they had dominated since the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
The British pair took the lead after four dives and held their nerve to stay in front of Chinese duo Cao Yuan and Chen Aisen.
It marked the culmination of Daley’s quest for Olympic gold, having made his first appearance at the Games in Beijing in 2008 when just 14.
Heat training pays off for mountain biker Pidcock
Pidcock unfurled a Union Jack as he crossed the line 20 seconds ahead of Swiss world number one Mathias Flueckiger. David Valero of Spain took bronze.
The multiple world champion at under-23 level had prepared for Tokyo’s oppressive warmth by training in a heated tent at home in Leeds.
“I’ve trained really hard. I knew I was in great shape but there’s always doubt when I haven’t performed in a race,” said Pidcock.
“But once the race started, I knew I was in a good place. The heat – obviously I didn’t feel good but everyone just told me no-one will feel good.”
Yee of little faith takes triathlon silver
Yee, from Brockley, continued Team GB’s unmatched success in triathlon with silver in the men’s race.
He finished 11 seconds behind gold medallist Kristian Blummenfelt of Norway.
“It hasn’t really sunk in quite yet, it doesn’t feel real like it’s me yet. I still feel like a normal boy from south east London,” said Yee.
“I hope I can serve as inspiration to people to show this is possible. I’m not anything special, I just really enjoy sport and have been really lucky.”