TOM DALEY leads the Team GB heroes taking home medals at the Tokyo Olympics
REINS SUPREME IN TOKYO AS TEAM GB CROWN A WINNING WEEK
‘You only dream of these things happening’
Her equestrian skills were once praised by the Queen. And last week Charlotte Dujardin became Olympic royalty as she rode into the record books to become the most decorated British female competitor of all time, after winning bronze at Tokyo 2020.
The 36-year-old Gloucestershire rider came third in the dressage, taking her total medal haul over three Games to six – three golds, one silver and two bronze – and beating the previous record held by rower Dame Katherine Grainger.
“It’s mind-blowing,” Charlotte said. “To think I have achieved all that. It’s just so surreal. People say it and I can’t quite believe it. Being level with Katherine Grainger was good enough, and now I’ve beaten her. It’s incredible, and I can honestly say I’m proud of myself. You only dream of these things happening and it has actually happened.”
ROYAL WARRANT
Her Majesty has previously revealed she is a fan of Charlotte’s. “The Queen said in front of me to a fellow guest at a function at Buckingham Palace: ‘There’s no other girl who can ride like Charlotte.’ I nearly died of shock,” she has said.
Charlotte’s victory helped give Team GB their greatest start to the Olympics yet. And no one was happier about it than diving champion Tom Daley, who cried tears of joy on the podium after winning gold in the men’s synchronised 10m
platform with Matty Lee. “It’s kind of unbelievable. I dreamt, as has Matty, since I started diving 20 years ago for this moment,” Tom, 27, said.
Another Tom – freestyle star Tom Dean – became the first Team GB swimmer to win two golds at one Olympics in more than a century after finishing first in the men’s 200m and 4x200m relay. “It’s amazing,” said Tom, whose relay teammate Duncan Scott won silver in the 200m event. “To have two Brits on the podium shows… how far British Swimming and Team GB have come.”
Another silver for Duncan in the 200m individual medley, and with more races yet to swim, put him on track to be the most decorated British Olympian at any one Games.
Adding to the success, 100m breaststroke Olympic record holder Adam Peaty won gold. By the weekend Team GB’s swimmers held six medals, making this their most successful games since 1908.
WHEELY GREAT
BMX star Bethany Shriever continued the winning streak by grabbing gold in the women’s race, with her teammate Kye Whyte scoring silver in the men’s – and, in one of the most touching scenes of the week, sweeping her up into his arms in celebration.
Victory was all the sweeter for the 22-year-old who worked part-time as a teaching assistant to cover her costs and at one point turned to crowdfunding to realise her dream of competing at the games after funding was cut for her sport.
Among those swept up in the action was Oasis star Liam Gallagher, who tweeted: “BMX racing at the Olympics is blowing my mind,” and: “Bethany Shriever what a ledge well done LG x.”