It’s seventh time lucky for Dean in relay glory

AFTER his silver service, there was a golden goodbye.

Six times Tom Dean had stood on the second step of the podium at these Commonwealth Games. Going into the final race of his marathon meet, the double Olympic champion said his record-breaking feats would ‘sting’ if he did not have his gold medal moment. But Dean was not done.

Despite the men’s 4x100metres medley relay being his 11th swim of the week, he summoned a last bit of energy to hold off Australian rival Kyle Chalmers on the final leg and bring the house down here in Sandwell. It was Dean’s seventh medal, making him England’s most decorated athlete at a single Commonwealth Games. ‘Finally!’ he panted. ‘That was such a sweet way to finish an incredible week. I am a competitive person, so it does sting slightly when you are so close to getting gold. That’s why I am so glad it came together.

‘To walk away as England’s most decorated athlete at a single Games, what a bit of history to have. It’s an incredible honour.’ Dean brought home the quartet containing Brodie Williams, James Wilby and James Guy to win by just 0.08sec in a thrilling finish. And it came less than two hours after his second place in the 200m individual medley where, once again, he was beaten by his pesky pal. On Saturday, Duncan Scott saw off Dean in the 200m freestyle and it was the same story last night, as the Scot took the lead after the second backstroke leg and held on to win in a Games-record time of 1min 56.88sec.

‘I can’t seem to get away from that man!’ laughed Dean.

It has also been a famous week for England’s Ben Proud, who added 50m freestyle gold to his victory in the 50m butterfly.