Comments from Team GB athletes following the afternoon/evening events at Tokyo 2020
Athletics
Comments from Team GB athletes after the evening session of athletics at the Tokyo Stadium.
Laura Muir
Age: 28 Hometown: Scotland: Milnathort
Result: Finished second in a time of 4:00.73 in semi-final 2 to qualify for the women’s 1500m final, which takes place on Friday
On the semi-final
“Everybody always talks about the final but
you’ve got to get there first, and to make an Olympic final is still a really big achievement and I’m very happy that I’m there now and I can now focus on that final.“I saw we were clear at the end so I just eased down a bit but I knew the first semi-final was quite quick so I knew the fastest loser spots were going to be quite tough.
“There were a lot of girls still quite close behind me I just wanted to make sure I didn’t get pipped on the line or anything. Everything is going as best as it could have done.”
On what sort of race she wants for the final
“I’m keeping my cards close to my chest for that one, I’ll talk to you about it after the final!”
On Jemma Reekie finishing fourth in the 800m final
“We’re really close and we’re sharing [apartments] and things – she’s gutted but that shows the standard of the athlete that she is and to come fourth is so difficult but she ran incredibly well and I’m really proud of her.”
Katie Snowden
Age: 27 Hometown: London: Herne Hill
Result: Finished ninth in a time of 4:02.93 in semi-final 1, missing out on the women's 1500m final
On the race
“I think I’m probably around the four-minute barrier at the moment, I think four minutes is my limit, but I think when you’re going through 800 that quickly I felt a bit stretched a bit earlier than I wanted to, and just couldn’t give a big last lap which is what I needed to qualify.
“I’m slightly disappointed that I didn’t run another PB there, because I really feel in shape to go a little bit quicker, but the 1,500 is such high quality this year. It’s exciting to be a part of it and hopefully I can build on this.”
On what’s next
“I’d like to now get a few 800s under my belt, as I feel like I’ve done quite a few 15s, just to mix things up, and then hopefully do one of the Diamond League 1,500s.
“I still feel like I’m in PB shape and I really want to run around four-flat by the end of the season, which I think I’m capable of doing, so hopefully I’ll get in one fast 1500m race.”
Jodie Williams
Age: 27 Hometown: Hertfordshire: Welwyn Garden City
Result: Finished second in semi-final 2 of the women’s 400m, with a personal-best time of 49.97 to qualify for Friday's final
On her performance
“I’m so happy, it’s just sinking in when I was walking just then and I started crying! It’s been such a long journey and I needed to come here and make that final and I’m glad I’ve got that first part done that’s the hardest part – and being in that final anything can happen so you’ve got to be there to challenge for medals."
On breaking 50 seconds
“It's crazy because three weeks ago I broke 51 for the first time, and now I’ve come here, I saw that first heat.
"I saw all of those girls go 49 and I was like ‘you have no choice now’ and I ran for my life.
“It’s the best time to do it and PB every stage, I was trying to run my own race. I knew the Jamaican girl [third place Roneisha McGregor] inside me was going to come up on me, I knew Shaunae [Miller-Uibo, race winner] was going to do Shaunae!
“For me it was just get out really hard, settle into a really nice rhythm and then from 150m onwards run for your life and that’s what I did!
“It’s my first year running 400s. Before this year I’d only done four 400s so I took a risk on myself, bet on myself, backed myself to come here and get the job done at the risk of not doing my favourite event the 200m, so I’m so glad I did that and put myself up there.
“I knew my potential over the 400 was something I could challenge for medals in, if I executed. The 200m, I haven’t managed to express myself properly in that event and I was getting frustrated.
“I just feel back to my old self. I used to come to champs and dominate heats and PB. I’m a championship performer and I feel so good to finally feel back to me!
“Hopefully now I’m a big Q I should have a decent lane and put myself in the mix.”
Cycling (Track)
Comments from Team GB track cyclists following the latest day of events at the Izu Velodrome.
Jason Kenny
Age: 33 Hometown: Bolton
Result: Progressed to the 1/8 finals of the men's individual sprint
On how pleased he was to get through
"I’m chuffed, yes. I’ve been struggling a bit and struggling with recovering. Obviously, qualifying eighth puts you in the thick of it as well.
"So yes, it just felt like every ride was a final and I rode it like it was as well.
"I’m over the moon to get through the first day and that’s it really. Job done for today, get fuelled up and hope that tomorrow goes well as well.
On the draw for the next rounds
"It’s another race and you have to ride every one like it’s a final, keep doing the same thing and keep chipping away. Jack [Carlin] is really strong and is in a really good position obviously. He’s definitely our best chance.
"The Dutch boys are fast, a little bit quicker but Jack’s got the edge in racing. He’s a good racer and if he keeps it together he’s in a really good position.
"From my point of view I’ll keep chipping away. I’m playing a bit of a supporting role for the first time.
"If I can knock some out that’s one place closer to the podium and that’s the way I’m looking at it.
"Keep hammering away and take as many people as I can."
Katy Marchant
Age: 28 Hometown: West Yorkshire: Leeds
Result: Won the repechage to progress to Thursday's keirin quarter-final. Had won her heat before being relegated for an infringement
On her performances
"I'm feeling good, feeling confident, things are coming together. The first few rides are about getting safely through.
"I didn't want to leave anything on the track today.
"Some may say it's another race that tires you out, but we've not raced for a long time so I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing."
On needing to compete in the repechage
"Be careful what you wish for! You've got to stick to the rules I guess and if you can't then you've got to ride again.
"I'm confident in my form but it was frustrating to get relegated. I just had to reset and start again.
"I think tactically the racing was really good. I just had a mishap coming in to turn three but that's another opportunity to practice and I'd rather learn that lesson in the first round than in the semis or finals tomorrow.
"When we've missed so missed so many opportunities over the last 18 months to ride into form a little bit. My legs are feeling good so I'm confident."
Sport Climbing
Comments from Team GB sport climber Shauna Coxsey following today's women's combined qualification event at Aomi Urban Sports Park. Coxsey finished tenth following speed, bouldering and lead qualification events, missing out on reaching the final by two places. Both Coxsey and sport climbing were making their Olympic debuts at Tokyo 2020.
Shauna Coxsey
Age: 28 Hometown: Cheshire: Runcorn
On appearing at the Olympic Games
"It's been insane. To even get here is an achievement, both literally and figuratively.
"My body is not in the shape I wanted it to be, I had no idea if I'd make it this far as a professional climber.
"To be here in that regard, and then everything that has gone on with the COVID delay, it's pretty insane that climbing has made its Olympic debut. We're Olympians.
"That's huge, and to be a small part of the sport's momentous occasion event is such a huge privilege."
On her performance
"I just felt content, and I was really ready to try hard which doesn't always come naturally for me.
"I was really happy with the performance I gave. Coming in to the lead route, I was tired and it's been such a long day, and managing the pain is not the easiest thing.
"I fought with as much as I had left and that's all I can ask for. To be here now, on the other side of it, is surreal."
On her injury
"It's been rubbish. I don't wish injury on anyone. I've had my fair share of them, my back is not going to get better which is the hardest bit, so to work around that is not really possible.
"I've trained significantly less than I would have wanted to. To make it this far and be able to get off the ground feels like such a huge achievement.
"My goal coming out here was literally to get off the ground.
"So to walk away where I did, it's insane and I didn't expect that at all.
"More than anything, to be on the wall and enjoying it and feeling happy, that's worth more than anything, it's what we strive for as climbers. I'm happy.
"There's a lot more work to be done to see if I can work around my back. I had a lot of treatment, it didn't work so I have constant pain and there's no solution currently.
"The pain is just there all the time. I'm the type of person whose life philosophy is, 'do something about it or get over it', so I'm getting over it day by day."
Equestrian
Comments from Team GB jumpers Scott Brash and Harry Charles following their individual jumping rides.
Scott Brash
Age: 35 Hometown: Scotland: Peebles
Result: Missed out on a clear round by less than a second, with a time penalty.
On missing out on a clear round
"I am gutted. I thought the horse jumped amazing. Fourth tenths of a second too slow. My fault.
"It is what the course does to you. I am disappointed.
"The course was very well built. It was a tough course, but fair. Six clears was about right.
"I cannot fault the horse. I am absolutely delighted with him, we will knuckle down and try to deliver a medal for the team."
On Ben Maher winning gold
"You sort of expect it with Ben, but that probably brings more pressure. He is very cool under pressure.
"To win a Olympic gold medal is amazing, absolutely amazing."
Harry Charles
Age: 22 Hometown: Hampshire: Alton
Result: Retired on Romeo 88
On his round
“It started off well but after a few fences, he fell behind and struggled to get back up to his second stride. It was a misunderstanding and a bad outcome to be honest.
“I am delighted with the horse and what she has done for me, to get to the Olympics and even get into the final.
“It is still quite hard to take.”
On the course
“It is a brutal course and absolutely massive. There is no room for error, it is tough. I can’t believe how many clears there are to be honest.”
On learning from the experience
“I may or may not get that right now, it’s now how I feel but as you get older you do get more experienced and wiser. Hopefully in a bit of time I can iron out those creases today.”
Hockey
Comments from Team GB hockey players Hollie Pearne-Webb and Maddie Hinch following the 5-1 semi-final loss to Netherlands. Team GB will contest the bronze-medal match against either India or Argentina on Friday.
Hollie Pearne-Webb
Age: 30 Hometown: Derbyshire: Belper
On the game
“It was not the morning we planned, we are disappointed. Especially after how we played in the pool stages against them.
“We showed we can match them across large parts of the game but we didn’t show up.
“They probably looked at the pool game and how they can tweak things against us.
“We are disappointed but at the same time we need to get over it quickly because we want to come away with a bronze.
“We need to wait and see who we’re playing, look at today and work out what went wrong and why our basics were a little bit off. And put them right the day after tomorrow.”
On what went wrong
“I don’t know if the occasion got to some people, it was quite hot. In the first quarter, they were on top of us a bit, but we were still in it and then we conceded two quick goals in the second.
“There were some sloppy things, we weren’t quite looking over our shoulders and following our players. We gave the ball away too easily and cheaply and we haven’t been doing that in other matches.
“They are the bits we need to look at, it’s not huge things, just basics. They are the conversations we need to go away and have and find out why we didn’t turn up today.”
Maddie Hinch
Age: 32 Hometown: West Sussex: West Chiltington
On the result
"It was a game of moments, and the two goals inside a minute is hard to come back from.
"We can still be proud. We haven't become a bad team after one game, and we are still going to fight for this bronze medal, which we would be incredibly proud of if we come away with it.
"We need to look at what we got wrong today, but also believe that we are still a good side and there is a reason we are fighting for a medal. We haven't done that by luck.
"We don't need to over-think this too much. They are an unbelievable team who will punish you if you get things wrong.
"It is their ability to punish mistakes. Some of the goals were world-class, and sometimes you have to say they were better than us today. That's that.
"Keeping the scoreline tight for as long as possible was key, but we weren't quite there today."
On the fight for bronze
"We need to park it. There is no time. There is a reason why we are here, and we need to focus on that. I don't think we should fear it.
"It would be massive for this group if we get a medal, and believe we can do it. We learnt from Rio that it is the power of belief."
Diving
Comments from Team GB diver Lois Toulson following today's women's 10m preliminary event. Both Toulson and Team GB team-mate Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix qualified for the semi-final, which takes place on Thursday.
Lois Toulson
Age: 21 Hometown: West Yorkshire: Huddersfield
Result: Seventh with a score of 314.00 to qualify for the semi-final, which takes place on Thursday
On her performance
"I’m really happy. Obviously made it through to the semi-final which was my first goal. It was quite hard because I haven’t done a long prelim like that for about two years now, so it was hard work.
"Obviously the length in between dives gives you quite a while to just sit and think things through and sometimes you think too much. But I’m happy with how everything went."
On a strong finish and the confidence it gives her heading into the next stage
"It has definitely boosted my confidence a bit. I know I can do my dives, I can do all my dives like the last one.
"Obviously, it’s just when you’re up there trying to stay strong and confident which I struggle with sometimes but I think I do know that I can do it so hopefully tomorrow I can show some more."
On preparation for the semi-finals
"I’m probably going to go straight back to the village, eat some food, and go straight to bed!
"I think we’re up quite early to get into training before the competition so it’s going to be a quick turnaround, just trying to stay focussed."
Golf
Comments from Team GB golfers Mel Reid and Jodi Ewart Shadoff following the first round of the women's competition. Leader Madelene Sagstrom is at five under par.
Mel Reid
Age: 33 Hometown: Derbyshire: Derby
Result: Two over par (73) to sit T41 following the first round
On how the day went
"You’ve got to take the positives. Obviously I’m gutted because I’ve been working really hard. I’ve struggled with my swing since I wasn’t very well about six weeks ago.
"I don’t know what’s happened to my body but I was playing really nicely up until then in the season and I've kind of struggled since then. I just couldn’t feel much today, it’s just golf.
"Sometimes you can’t miss a shot, sometimes you can’t hit the club face. Today unfortunately it was me not hitting the club face. But to take the positives out of it, if I’m hitting it that bad and I’m only two over, and it’s a really bumped up leader board, I think the leaders will stay at -5, maybe -6.
"I know it sounds a lot but you’re only eight shots off with 54 holes to go.
"I’m going to try and work it out now and obviously I want to put in a bit of a prouder performance over the next three days and that’s what I’m going to try and do."
On the conditions in Tokyo
"It’s so hot. I know we’re just playing golf but I feel sorry for the guys that are playing hockey or football, or track. I feel like I can’t really complain about it because we’re just hitting golf balls but it’s tough.
"When you walk around, it’s just energy draining and you’re constantly having to drink water.
"Your vision goes and the key is to stay hydrated. It’s just difficult to do that but it’s extremely hot."
On becoming an Olympian
"It’s just incredible. To be around those athletes, the dedication that they’ve put in to get here. Everyone should be extremely proud of themselves. This was one of my goals for a few years now.
"As someone who grew up playing multi-sports, I never thought I could play in an Olympics. So being an Olympian is something that I’ll wear with pride and it’s honestly one of the proudest weeks I’ve ever experienced.
"I’m just extremely proud to be here… hopefully I can put in a better performance for Team GB."
Jodi Ewart Shadoff
Age: 33 Hometown: North Yorkshire: Middleham
Result: Three over par (74) to sit T47 following the first round
On how the day went
"Low scores are definitely out there, it’s just the greens are very difficult to read and if your putter isn’t hot then it makes it hard. I hit the ball pretty well and I hit a lot of greens and fairways so once the putter starts to get hot, there’s definitely low scores out there.
"I had so many birdie opportunities, especially on the front nine, that were just inches away. That was a little bit frustrating but I’ll reset for tomorrow.
"There’s some low scores out there and the men proved that so hopefully tomorrow will be a different day."
On how the course is shaping up
"It’s an amazing course. The greens are in fantastic shape and It’s a tough but fair challenge. I think it really rewards good shots."
On becoming an Olympian
"Being part of Team GB has been amazing. Being around the village and the British athletes, it’s still a surreal experience.
"I’ve been here for over a week and it’s an honour to be part of this team and to represent Great Britain.
"Hopefully I can get things going in the next couple of days."
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