JAMES Guy has completed a hat-trick of relay medals at the Tokyo Olympics on an historic night for British swimming.

The former Cardinal Newman High School student swam the third leg as Team GB took the silver in the men’s 4×100 metres medley relay final, the last event of the swimming championships.

His teammate Duncan Scott became the first British athlete to win four medals at a single Olympics as Team GB celebrated their best swimming haul at a Games.

Luke Greenbank, Adam Peaty, Guy and Scott finished in a European record time that was 0.73 seconds behind the United States, who claimed gold in a world record time of 3mins 26.78secs.

Warrington Guardian:

James Guy on the right of Adam Peaty as Team GB finished second to USA. Picture: PA Wire

Britain’s eighth medal – with four golds, three silvers and a bronze – bettered their previous best tally in the pool of seven gongs, set at the London Games 113 years ago.

This silver for Guy followed two Tokyo golds in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay and the mixed 4x100m medley relay, all coming in the space of five days.

“This week for British swimming has been unbelievable, medals all over the place," said Guy.

"We’ve had a great week, we missed out on gold but they broke the world record and we’ve played our part.”

Scott has also won gold in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay and silver in the solo event as well as finishing runner-up in the 200m individual medley.

 

Greenbank, the 200m backstroke bronze medalist, was seventh after the opening leg, but Peaty, eyeing his third gold of these Olympics, swam the fastest breaststroke split ever of 56.53ssecs to take them into the lead.

Guy swam his butterfly leg in a creditable 50.27secs but was overtaken by the vaunted Caeleb Dressel, with American compatriot Zach Apple completing the job.

“I don’t want to take anything away from the American team,” Peaty said. “They stepped up big time. They knew they had to step up big time. It’s an Olympic silver, people would die for that.

“We will enjoy it but there is a little bit of pain there. Maybe you need that. Maybe you need that going to Paris (2024). Ten years ago we were happy making finals. We aren’t happy making finals any more.

“We are happy doing silver and medalling – that’s the culture that is different now – and that’s part of our success. We are aiming for gold, we are aiming to be the best in the world and dominate the world.

“By the time Paris comes around we are going to develop. A lot of teams are going to look at us. We are always looking for gold and for world records, I’m incredibly proud to be part of this team – it’s history-making.”

Victory for the USA was a second win on Sunday for Dressel after prevailing in the 50m freestyle earlier, capping a sensational Games for the 24-year-old, who has collected five golds in Japan and now has seven overall.

The USA-Britain one-two matched the result from the Rio 2016 Games.

A period of rest and recovery now awaits.

Asked how they will unwind, Guy joked: “A burger and some chips will do me."

Peaty offered a more sobering reflection at how important time away from the pressures of the sport is.

He said: “You’ve got to celebrate, it’s been hard for everyone. We’re not allowed to touch the water for a month now because it is going to be a war of attrition over the next three years.

“You’re seeing it in all sports now. You’re seeing it with Simone Biles, with Ben Stokes, mental health matters and it is about getting the balance right at that elite level. We love to celebrate, and why shouldn’t we?”

Result:

1 United States 3:26.78

2 Great Britain 3:27.51

3 Italy 3:29.17

4 Russian Olympic Committee 3:29.22

5 Australia 3:29.60

6 Japan 3:29.91

7 Canada 3:32.42

China DSQ