Team GB win GOLD in men’s 4x200m freestyle relay as world best quartet successfully defend their Olympic title in Paris

Team GB have successfully defended their Olympic gold in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay as James Guy, Duncan Scott, Matt Richards and Tom Dean starred in Paris with a winning time of 6:59:43.

The quartet were widely regarded as overwhelming favourites after setting a fastest time of 7:05.11 in the heat to progress to final.

Guy got Team GB off to a strong start, staying within touching distance of America’s Luke Hobson while Germany and Japan also pushed hard.

He was first to turn at the 100m mark and continued to drive on as Team GB led from the start to give Dean a half-body lead heading into the first changeover.

Dean kept the pressure on but slightly dropped back during the change as Germany began to push and Australia fought back from a poor start to narrow the leading pack.

Tom Dean was impressive at the first changeover as he maintained Team GB’s early lead 

Duncan Scott starred in the final 200m and dominated the field to win by over a body length

Dean recovered to keep Team GB’s lead intact heading into the third leg with individual silver medallist Richards brilliant as he handed Scott a half-body lead heading into the final 200m.

Scott was under pressure from the Americans but maintained poise as he glided through the water to hold off the challenge and finish strongly to claim another gold for Team GB as the quartet successfully defended their title.

Individual brilliant combined with competitive team spirit and star quality saw Team GB deliver on their pre-race status to dominate the field with Scott eventually winning by over a body length.

USA claimed silver medal in second and Australia finished third on the podium as they finished over two seconds behind Team GB’s gold medal winners.

Full race report to follow.