Olympics day three: Medal Monday for Team GB as Tom Pidcock strikes gold again

Laura Collett, Tom McEwen and Ros Canter got the ball rolling as they took team eventing gold at the Chateau de Versailles, before Tom Pidcock successfully defended his title in a dramatic race for the men’s cross-country mountain biking.

Here, the PA news agency takes a spin through the highlights of the third full day of action in Paris.

Pidcock king of the mountains again

Pidcock fought back from a puncture to deny French hope Victor Koretzky in a pulsating race on Elancourt Hill.

The reigning world champion recovered from a poor start to take the lead on the third of eight laps in a 35.2km race with Koretzky the only man who could follow his attacks, but Pidcock’s race was in danger of unravelling when he suffered a flat front tyre shortly afterwards.

The incident happened close to the pits – anywhere else it could have ended his race – but his mechanic was not ready for him and after a slow change, Pidcock fell 40 seconds behind Koretzky to the delight of the home crowds.

However, Pidcock, who pulled out of the Tour de France suffering with Covid only 16 days ago, fought his way to reclaim the lead with a lap-and-a-half to go and – after trading blows with Koretzky over a thrilling final lap – Pidcock saw a gap and stole in front to take the win.

Five-star performance from eventing team

Team GB had been firmly in control of the team eventing competition since day one, so it was a case of job done as the trio secured the title in the showjumping phase.

Collett and McEwen were part of the British team that won gold in Tokyo and cool heads were the order of a very warm day as the British side held off the French challenge.

A clear round from McEwen, with one fence down for Canter and a fence plus a minor time penalty for Collett, saw Britain notch up a record fifth triumph in the team contest.

Collett and McEwen were also in the hunt for individual medals, but German rider Michael Jung was just too good in securing his third win, with Collett taking bronze.

Water way to perform

Tom Daley completed his full set of Olympic medals as he teamed up with Noah Williams to take silver in the men’s synchronised 10m platform final.

Daley had got his hands on gold in the same event at Tokyo 2020 but his runner-up finish meant he completed the set of Olympic medals, having also won three bronzes.

Success in the water was not only confined to the diving pool though, with Matt Richards taking silver in the men’s 200m freestyle and Adam Burgess achieving the same honour in the canoe slalom singles.

It was redemption for Burgess, who avenged his maiden final from three summers ago in Tokyo, where the now-32-year-old finished fourth and missed out on a medal by just 0.16 seconds.

Freestyle relay team to fend off all comers?

The men’s 4x200m freestyle relay squad have gold in their sights again after taking top honours in Tokyo (2101).

Tom Deane, James Guy, Duncan Scott and Richards are all expected to line up, with the latter joining Jacob Whittle in the 100m freestyle heats earlier in the day.

Alex Yee will be gunning for gold in the men’s triathlon, should the event get the go-ahead (0700).

There are concerns over the water quality of the River Seine, but organisers have been confident the contest will take place following an early morning check.

Team USA shoot for gymnastics gold

There was almost as much to look at in the crowd as there was on the floor when Simone Biles was in action over the weekend.

Tom Cruise, Anna Wintour, Snoop Dogg and Ariana Grande all turned out to watch her perform in individual qualifying, so expect another starry turn out for the women’s all-round final (1715).

Obviously Biles is enough of a celebrity in her own right though and in a team of US stars, all eyes will be on them.

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Who won Team GB medals on day three of the Paris Olympics?

Gold

Great Britain’s eventing team – equestrian, team eventing
Tom Pidcock – mountain biking, men’s mountain bike race

Silver

Tom Daley and Noah Williams – diving, 10m synchronised platform
Matt Richards – swimming, men’s 200m freestyle
Adam Burgess – canoeing, men’s canoe singles

Bronze

Laura Collett – equestrian, individual jumping final