Team GB rounded off their most successful Olympic Games in the swimming pool for well over a century at Rio 2016 with a stunning silver in the men’s 4x100m medley relay.
The British quartet of Adam Peaty, James Guy, Chris Walker-Hebborn and Duncan Scott pushed the USA every inch in the final but were beaten to gold by 1.29 seconds.
A new British record of 3:39.24 took Team GB’s total in the pool in Rio to six for their best Olympic Games since London 1908.
For Peaty, Guy and Scott the silver marked their second medal of Rio 2016 following in the footsteps of teammate Jazmin Carlin who became the first Brit to do so the night before.
It also contributed to Team GB’s most successful day at Rio 2016 yet with eight medals – three gold, four silver and one bronze – to push the overall total for the Games to 30.
Peaty said: “I was a man on a mission. I knew the Americans would go out fast. Chris did an amazing job, so when I dived in I had the composure and control.
“It was absolutely amazing to get that 56.5 split. Hopefully that’s a message to the rest of the world for four years’ time where James and Duncan will be a lot more mature, have a lot more muscle, and hopefully if Chris decides to carry on he’ll be a lot faster. We’re looking at a very good relay coming together.
“It was special to swim with [Michael] Phelps. I was watching him in Athens, in Beijing, in London. It’s crazy to see what he’s done and it’s crazy to race against him.
Guy added: “To be beside the greatest of all time in Michael Phelps is pretty special. I have watched him since I was a young boy and to race him and go head-to-head is pretty special and something I will never forget.
“To say that I was head-to-head with him in his last race is special but I don’t think he’ll retire. I think he’ll go on to Tokyo 2020, I think he wants 25 golds, he has got 23 and I think he wants two more.
“We are 21, 20 and 19 – the Americans are quite a bit older than us. We are still young, growing lads. We have got so much more to work on. Duncan is a young freestyler and I hardly do any butterfly.
“We are up with them, we came second and it was great race. There is so much to work and Tokyo is going to be the one I think.”
Also in action on the final night of the Rio 2016 swimming competition was Francesca Halsall. She went in the Women’s 50m Freestyle where she was edged out of the medals and touched home in fourth.
“It’s disappointing not to come away with the result I wanted but I’ve done everything I could this season to give myself the best shot. It didn’t work out how I wanted it to on the day.
“It was a strong field and it didn’t go to form with who you thought would be there or thereabouts, so it was anyone’s for the taking but unfortunately I just couldn’t get my hand on the wall quick enough.
“I’ve been able to enjoy my racing, while previous seasons have been quite tough with that. I was able to enjoy the atmosphere and put in a really solid race.”
GB also had a team in the Women’s 4x100m Medley relay final, made up of Georgia Davies, Chloe Tutton, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor and Fran Halsall.
The quartet delivered a strong swim and finished in 7th overall in a new British record time of 3:56.96.
O’Connor said:“It’s such a great way to finish off with those girls and we got a British record as well which tops it off really.
“This week hasn’t really sunk in just yet. I’m just going to try to enjoy the rest of the Olympics, we’re here in Rio and it’s an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity.