Great Britain win team eventing GOLD for the first time since 1972 after strong showjumping display on final day of competition… and individual medals could follow today
Great Britain’s eventers took a glorious gold medal in the team competition in Tokyo.
The trio of Oliver Townend, Laura Collett and Tom McEwen prevailed in the final showjumping round after going into the day with a near impregnable lead of 17.9 penalties. Even though that was cut to 13.9 at the end of the night, it was still enough for glory.
McEwen was first up in the showjumping, and produced a clear round to get the team off to the perfect start.
Great Britain’s eventing team won the gold medal for the first time since the 1972 Olympics
Oliver Townend, Laura Collett (above) and Tom McEwen produced GB’s 11th gold of the Games
It was less clean from Collett on London 52, with four penalties, but that did little to weaken the team’s grip on gold.
That meant Townend, aboard Ballaghmor Class, had a four-fence cushion going into his ride. There was just one blemish in his round, and Olympic glory for Great Britain was confirmed.
Townend will be hoping to add individual gold later in the day, where he currently sits second in the standings, with McEwen in third place and Collett in fifth.
More to follow
Townend is second in the individual standings and in with a chance of winning a second gold