Tom Dean and Duncan Scott secure Team GB one-two in men’s 200m freestyle final at Tokyo Olympics

Tom Dean and Duncan Scott celebrate their one-two for Team GB in the pool
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Britain’s Tom Dean stunned team-mate Duncan Scott to win a surprise gold in the men’s 200m freestyle in a thrilling finish to the Tokyo Olympic final.

Scott had gone into the final as the world No1 and the fastest qualifier, while Dean was not quite as fancied on the basis of the qualifying times despite being ranked second in the world this year.

But it was Dean who pipped his team-mate to the touch to win by just four hundredths of a second in a blanket finish as long-time leader Hwang Sunwoo faded suddenly, and just 0.36 seconds separated first to fourth.

It doubled Britain’s gold-medal tally at these Games following as it did less than 24 hours after Adam Peaty’s gold in the 100m breaststroke. And it was a first one-two in an Olympic swimming event by Britain since 1908.

Afterwards, the new Olympic champion, who had twice recovered from Covid already this year, said: “I knew it was going to be a dog fight. I want to say thanks so much to everyone back at home. I’m lost for words. Thanks for staying up.”

It was tough on Scott, for whom this is his No1 event, although he habitually gets better as swim meets progress and he has other chances for gold for the remaining days.

The result brought celebrations from Peaty while another British swimmer James Guy appeared to be in tears in the crowd as he celebrated the one-two.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Team GB Medal Haul

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Scott added: “A massive credit to Tom Dean. That was unbelievable. Olympic champion. To come along so far in the last 18 months, it’s a pleasure to watch. He’s a good mate out of the pool and it’s great to compete against him.”

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