Comments from Team GB athletes following today's afternoon and evening events at Tokyo 2020.
Athletics
Daryll Neita
Age: 24 Hometown: London: Camberwell
Result: Eighth in 11.12 in the women's 100m final
On her performance
"That wasn’t good. I’m so disappointed. I’m not happy with that not happy with that at all. That’s
not what I came here to do. I need to go away and sort a few things."
Asha Philip
Age: 24 Hometown: London: Leyton
Result: Eight in 11.30 in her women's 100m semi-final, missing out on the final.
On the performance
"I am so disappointed. I have probably been slower this year, but the fact is that I didn’t execute when I should have, and I know how good I am, and I am not showing my full potential.
"I wouldn’t do it if I wasn’t good at it. You can see my words won’t come out and I am really disappointed with myself. I have never felt this bad in such a while. I have been on this stage before and I had such a great execution in the warm-up area.
"I don’t know what that was, the best part of my race was my worst. It was so basic. We all know I can run to 60m but I didn’t do it here.
"I am so frustrated with myself. I haven’t given myself the opportunity. I haven’t done what I am here to do."
On the relay
"We got a medal here last time and I really want to get another one. I really want us to perform well and get a medal."
On preparation
"The heat has been one of the biggest things to deal with. It is really hot out there. Training has been tough, but nothing so much has affected us, and we’ve had a great build up."
Jemma Reekie
Age: 23 Hometown: Scotland: North Ayrshire
Result: Second in 1:59.77 in semi-final 1 to qualify for the women's 800m final. Reekie, Alex Bell and Keely Hodgkinson all qualified for the final, which takes place on Tuesday.
On her race
"Yeah it was a really good race. I think I executed it well and listened to my coach and I'm really pleased with it and I'm excited looking ahead to the final."
On how she's feeling
"I'm really confident but confidence has just come from the training that I've just done over the past few weeks that at the holding camp and I know I'm in amazing shape but it's an Olympic final and I've got to race it smart.
"Even though I'm in good shape, I'm not under 23s anymore. I can't afford to make mistakes so I'll just go out there and do my best on the day and hopefully I'll come away with a medal."
On thinking about final outcome
"I've definitely got big dreams and I stand on the start line of every race to try and win it and I'll run and do the same again and if I come away with a medal, I'll be really happy."
On potential of the 800m final for Team GB
"British middle distance running is just amazing right now and I'm so excited looking ahead for all the races.
"I definitely think the British girls can go out and do well in that final.
"I was watching every sport in the last few days and any time someone gets a medal, it's amazing and it really does lift, no matter the sport, it lifts all the athletes up and it makes it exciting."
On pressure
"I don't feel pressure from anyone else, I put a lot of pressure on myself and I expect a lot of myself and I'm actually quite harsh on myself so I just want to do well and I don't feel pressure from elsewhere."
Alex Bell
Age: 28 Hometown: West Yorkshire: Leeds
Result: Third in 1:58.53 in semi-final 2, qualifying to the women's 800m final as one of the next two fastest athletes. Bell, Jemma Reekie and Keely Hodgkinson all qualified for the final, which takes place on Tuesday.
On the performance
"I sat waiting for ages for that last heat but it was worth it! I wanted to make it fast.
"I said coming into this race I was going to enjoy every single step I was going to take and I did and I was so relaxed and so happy going into that race that the performance reflected how I was feeling and I just wanted to make it my own, even if it was going to be the last race I did, I just wanted it to be a good one.
"Thankfully, it paid off, it was a long wait but it paid off and I’m absolutely over the moon to join the other two as well, what a trio.
On the three Brits making the final
"When was the last time that happened? Honestly I knew them girls would do it, and I can honestly say we’re going to give them all hell in two days' time.
"It’s going to be unbelievable. Clean slate now, two days recovery, rest and recoup and anything can happen in the final."
On her selection
"A week prior to flying out I can’t tell you the lows I was facing and feeling, my world flipped round with one phone call and I was happy to grab the opportunity with both hands and just enjoy it.
"I cried on the phone to the team leader – he said it was the best phone call he ever had. The world was turned upside down, I refocussed!"
Keely Hodgkinson
Age: 19 Hometown: Greater Manchester: Wigan
Result: First in 1:59.12 in semi-final 3 to qualify for the 800m final, which takes place on Tuesday. Hodgkinson, Jemma Reekie and Alex Bell all qualified for the final, which takes place on Tuesday.
On all three Team GB athletes reaching the final
"I’m happy – I’m really happy, happy for the girls as well. Three out of three, definitely history being made here right now, so a big thumbs up from me.
"I’ve learnt a lot in my races the past six months and I definitely learned to be patient and trust my training and that’s what I did. I moved on the back straight but I knew in the last 60m it would happen so I trusted in my kick.
"I don’t think about expectations – we’re just here representing our country and have fun and do ourselves proud out there, I just wanted to secure my place on the biggest stage in the world and it’s going to be the biggest race of all three of our careers and we really want to do our families proud and people that support us back home proud.
"When you are here and in the team environment you just want to keep going and get to that final – everyone is hungry to be in there so we knew it was going to be difficult but we did it!"
Golf
Comments from Team GB golfers Paul Casey and Tommy Fleetwood following the third round of the Men’s Individual Stroke Play. The fourth and final round takes place on Sunday, with leader Xander Schauffele on 14 under.
Paul Casey
Age: 44 Hometown: Surrey: Weybridge
Result: Tied for third having shot five under today, moving to 12 under for the tournament
On his round
“It was a really good start. I birdied the first two holes, I felt really comfortable and got another couple of birdies early at six and seven.
“Credit to everyone who has set up the golf course this week, they played around with a lot of tees and if you don’t birdie holes like six, you feel like you’re going backwards.
“I made a great par-save on eight after burying it under the lip [of the bunker]. After that, I just went flat and couldn’t get anything.
“I went from tied to the lead to tied for sixth without doing a single thing. I made a bogey but then a couple of birdies on the last couple have got me back into things."
On the conditions
“Conditions aren’t a problem. I’ve got no issue with the heat. It’s a bit sweaty, I’m not used to the humidity, but I live in the desert in Arizona so this isn’t hot, it’s just sweaty.
“I’m grown up enough. We’ve got good guys here this week talking about hydration. Tommy [Fleetwood] is no mug, he’s been around long enough and it’s not effecting us.
“We’re playing for gold – but it would be nice to have a day of no thunderstorms.”
Tommy Fleetwood
Age: 30 Hometown: Merseyside: Southport
Result: Tied for ninth having shot seven under today – the second-best score of the round – to move to ten under for the tournament.
On the support on the course
“We get some support in the mornings, we get people from Team GB who wish us luck in the mornings and people want to know how it went and how you feel when you get back.
“There’s support all around in that way. I’ve been very lucky, the Japanese volunteers have been very nice to me and clap me on, which feels really, really good.
“The two Nigels [Team GB Golf Team Leader Nigel Edwards and physio Nigel Tilley] have been around all week and they’ve been great.
“It is quiet. It is a different environment without crowds but the task remains the same. You just draw on what you have got.
“And we have a great support team around us.”
On today’s round
“I’ve been struggling for momentum a lot recently. I feel like my game has been coming back, it’s just about getting those good rounds under your belt.
“That’s the lowest round I’ve had for a very long time. I’ve got to take that back with me and draw on that.
“I just got on a run, that was great and it was nice to come down a stretch feeling like I’m giving myself chances and moving up the leaderboard.
“We all know what places matter this week so it’s nice to be in touching distance of that.”
Cycling BMX
Comments from Team GB BMX Freestylers Charlotte Worthington and Declan Brooks following today’s seeding events at Ariake Sports Park. BMX Freestyle is making its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.
Charlotte Worthington
Age: 25 Hometown: Manchester
Result: Finished fourth in the Women’s Park seeding round ahead of Sunday’s final. Runs of 81.80 and 81.20 produced a scoring average of 81.50.
On making her Olympic debut
“It feels really good. It’s been a long time coming, it’s something we’ve worked for, for three years. Everything kind of went to plan, I had a good day and enjoyed the course so it’s good.”
On the seeding run
“I think everyone is holding their cards quite close to their chest, but today people definitely put a couple of them out there just to test the water.
“I think everyone has a slightly different plan for tomorrow so we’ll see what comes out. I’m sure everyone has got a sneaky trick or two.”
Declan Brooks
Age: 25 Hometown: Portsmouth
Result: Finished seventh in the Men’s Park seeding round ahead of Sunday’s final. Runs of 74.30 and 79.20 produced a scoring average of 76.75.
On making his Olympic debut
“It’s amazing. It’s special to be here amongst all these amazing athletes, but on the course it feels kinda normal to a normal World Cup.
“We have the same riders, the same judges, so that aspect feels normal, but when you come out here it’s completely different.”
On his tactics for the seeding round
"The game plan today was to go out there, get rid of some nerves. It was our first time, I wasn’t looking to qualify high. Some people went out there and possibly did too much, but game plan was to go out there, get some stuff done, but it’s a whole new run for tomorrow.
"A lot more to come tomorrow. Everyone got through today so there was no need to show your hand but yeah, now I’m looking forward to it."
Equestrian
Comments from Team GB eventer Tom McEwen following today’s dressage at Equestrian Park. McEwen, riding Toledo De Kerser, scored 28.90 to sit 12th ahead of Sunday’s cross country event. Team GB teammate Oliver Townend is second (23.60 on Ballaghmor Class) behind Germany’s Michael Jung and Laura Collett is sixth (25.80 on London 52) with all dressage tests now completed. Team GB sit in first position in the team standings with a combined penalty score of 78.30 ahead of the cross country and show jumping events.
Tom McEwen
Age: 30 Hometown: Gloucestershire: Minchinhampton
On his test
“I’m very pleased, he coped very well in there and loves situations like that. The two changes really cost me and getting back from there.
“I was delighted with his walk today, I thought he walked really well and the preparation for the changes was good, but it was a flop.
“They were probably a bit too quiet and a bit too polite, I didn’t want to ask too much of him. As a team, we’re still in a strong position.
“It gives me more emphasis to go and crack on tomorrow.”
On how Toledo De Kerser has been in Tokyo
“He’s been amazing, absolutely unreal. It’s why it’s a bit of a shame to get that score because I know we’d have been into the low 20s, even into the teens on the right day.
“His changes are very good, very correct. I’m very pleased but bits to work on."
On competing as a team at the Olympics
“We don’t compete as a team very often. So to be here adds pressure, especially as a team of three.
“Wherever you go there’s a job to be done, it doesn’t make a difference whether you lead or you’re right at the end.
“I enjoy the pressure. I love it, he’s great, he’s loving this heat and temperature.
“With tomorrow [the cross country] coming up and being a bit later, it should work okay.”
On the cross-country course
“I think they’ve created a great track. It looks incredible, the grass is incredible, beautifully presented and lots of questions.
“There are lots of short, sharp bursts which isn’t that natural to our horses because we’re used to the big flowing hills.
“With time, horses get a lot more stamina and endurance and one thing we’ve got is three different five-star win under three different horses.
“They’ve all proved that. It will be a different test, you might get away with something early, you may pay for it a little later, it’s covering all the angles and hopefully we’ll be as good as we can be.”
Rugby Sevens
Comments from Team GB rugby sevens player Jasmine Joyce following the 21-12 bronze-medal match defeat to Fiji at Tokyo Stadium.
Jasmine Joyce
Age: 25 Hometown: Wales: St David
On finishing fourth, a repeat of Rio 2016
“It’s unfortunate. Three of us were in this situation five years ago, but us as a programme have only been together for five months.
“Six months ago, we had absolutely nothing, so to come out here and finish fourth, not a lot of people expected that so it’s a credit to the girls out there and the coaches for supporting us and trusting in us."
On the squad
“All of us keep saying how incredible this programme is. The environment has just brought us together as a squad.
“With what we can do together in six months, God knows what we could have done, even with just an extra month I can guarantee we would have won gold."
Boxing
Comments from Team GB boxer Galal Yafai following today's fights at the Kokugikan Arena.
Galal Yafai
Age: 28 Hometown: West Midlands: Birmingham
Result: Beat Zambia’s Patrick Chinyemba 3-2 on points to reach the Men’s Flyweight (48-52kg) quarter-finals. Yafai will face Cuba’s Yosbany Veitia on Tuesday, knowing a victory would guarantee him an Olympic medal.
On the fight
“I knew he was going to be tricky. I anticipated he was going to be tricky after watching him but I didn’t think he was going to be as tricky as that.
“He was a nightmare to fight, he’s tall, has range, I didn’t underestimate him but I could fight better kids who are ranked higher and are world champions and have easier fights.
“I’m glad to just get it out of the way.
“He had good movement, he’s quite young – it’s the Olympics, everyone wants to progress to the next round.
“I was a bit surprised about the split decision but I’ll move on from that.
“My job is just to fight and hopefully they [the judges]favour my work instead of his. Today, they managed to do that, so happy days.”
On the quarter-final
“I’ve fought him [Veitia] before, he was a former world champion and I beat him two years ago so hopefully I can repeat that and beat him again.”
On the British success
“It’s down to the training we have at GB Boxing, the best training in the world, the best coaches, the best support staff, we’re just making the most of it with our medals and the medals we’ve yet to win.”
On home support
“Loads of family and friends have been watching at home. I’ve got good feedback, probably won’t get quite good feedback today but I’ll think about Tuesday now.”
On improvements to be made
“The main thing is getting the win, performance comes second.
“If I box like that again, I don’t deserve a medal, do I? I’ve got to step it up.”
Hockey
Comments from Team GB women’s hockey captain Hollie Pearne-Webb after they beat Ireland 2-0 with goals from Hannah Martin and Susannah Townsend to finish third in Pool A. Team GB will play Spain in the quarter-finals on Monday
Hollie Pearne-Webb
Age: 30 Hometown: Derbyshire: Belper
On whether they were aware of quarter-final match-up permutations
“We didn’t focus on any of the other games today. We knew if we performed well, we’d be absolutely fine. We didn’t look at anything else or what others needed to do.
“We knew if we played well, won and got a result we would get a nice quarter-final spot, so that’s all we focused on.”
On approach to the quarter-final against Spain
“We’ve been taking it one game at a time and that’s how we’re focusing on it heading into the quarter-finals.
“Obviously now, every game is a must-win but we always want to go into every game to win, so we’re not thinking any further ahead than the game against Spain.
“It’s exactly the same processes we’ve been doing throughout the tournament.”
Shooting
Comments from Team GB shooters Seonaid McIntosh, Matt Coward-Holley and Kirsty Hegarty following today's events at Asaka Shooting Range.
Seonaid McIntosh
Age: 25 Hometown: Scotland: Edinburgh
Result: Finished 14th in the women’s 50m rifle 3 position. The top eight progressed to the final.
On her performance
"I’m a bit heartbroken, it did not go as I hoped. It was not dreadful I guess, I was close to making the final but a lot of it got lost in a few ways and a few places. Some of it was amazing but it was not enough."
On any pressure at the end
"I think I already knew there was no way I was getting in there, I was up against the time at the very end and was close to running out of it.
"I was struggling with the wind, sometimes it’s a wee bit tricky wind-wise. Some of the girls just shoot right through it but I am a little bit more cautious with stuff like that. Today it was back and forth and a bit tricky."
On missing out on the final
"I have shot better than that before but I have had one competition since the end of November 2019, so I can’t really complain with how I have gone. I feel like today was a day when I needed more match experience but I just haven’t had that."
Matt Coward-Holley
Age: 26 Hometown: Essex: Chelmsford
Result: Tenth in Mixed Team Trap qualification with a score of 143, with Kirsty Hegarty. The top four qualified for the medal events.
On today’s event
"We definitely did shoot well. At any other competition 143 would have been knocking on the door for a bronze medal match, but we’re at the Olympics - people shoot well here. We shot well as a pair."
On his overall Olympic experience
"It’s been a good week, my first Olympics. Individual bronze and then to even have the opportunity to go again for a medal with Kirsty is an experience most shooters don’t get, as we don’t usually get two events.
"It’s been a phenomenal experience, we both shot well and we both enjoyed the day. Anywhere else in the world we would have been a lot happier but not here."
Kirsty Hegarty
Age: 32 Hometown: Northern Ireland: Craigavon
Result: Tenth in Mixed Team Trap qualification with a score of 143, with Matt Coward-Holley. The top four qualified for the medal events.
On today’s event
"I think we both shot really well. It was tough conditions and the field was so high and, you know, that score at a World Cup would have had us knocking at the door.
"That’s the disappointing bit. I had a rough start. Matt - a brilliant teammate as always - pulled me along. So, yeah, I think we shot well."
On the atmosphere within the team
"The team has been great. We’ve probably been the loudest team in the rest area, laughing and joking when everyone else is quite serious. The whole trip, the whole Games, it’s just been great.
"It’s really important to have a stress relief. When you go out on the range you’re under pressure and you need to perform so you need that release when you get back to the rest area.
"We’ve been a team together for so long everyone knows what everyone wants, when people want alone time and when they want someone to chat to."
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