Grateful James Wilby hails support from home and Olympic team’s ‘unsung heroes’

Grateful James Wilby hailed the ‘unsung heroes’ of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – and praised the huge support from everyone at home.

Wilby was part of Team GB’s Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay team alongside Kathleen Dawson, Duncan Scott and Anna Hopkin which finished seventh in a thrilling final on the penultimate day of the swimming competition at the Paris La Defense Arena.

Great Britain’s word record was broken by the United States of America, who took the gold medal in a time of 3:37.43 – 0.15 seconds faster than the time set at the rearranged Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Wilby, who clocked a 59.00 breaststroke leg, recognised the team behind the team for supporting team GB’s aquatic athletes.

He also thanked the backing he and his team mates had received from family, friends and everyone cheering them on back home.

Wilby said: “I’m incredibly grateful for all the support I’ve had from my friends and family in particular. 

“We all talk about the team that’s stood in front of you here but the staff working behind the scenes are the unsung heroes of this team.

“Finally, every single person at home, we couldn’t do this without the support of everybody at home.

“In particular, the National Lottery players – they are absolutely the people who fund and support us here. I wouldn’t be here without them.

“I was a 20-something year old, struggling to make ends meet and my funding fundamentally put me here, gave me the medals I’ve got.

“I may not be the most successful athlete on the team, but I damn well hope to be one of the most grateful for all the funding I’ve received.”

Abbie feeling proud

Proud Abbie Wood said she could not complain after finishing fifth in the Women’s 200m Individual Medley against a stacked field.

Wood touched home in 2:09.51 – 2.95 seconds behind Canada’s teenage sensation Summer McIntosh, who set an Olympic record of 2:06.56 as she won her third gold medal of Paris 2024.

It was a battling effort from Wood, who missed out on a medal in the same race at the rearranged Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by 0.11 seconds.

She was in fourth place following the butterfly and backstroke legs but had slipped to sixth following the breaststroke.

However, a strong freestyle finish saw her move up a place as she improved the time she recorded in the semi-final by 0.13 seconds.

Wood said: “Looking at the line-up, it was crazy, and watching all the times come through throughout the season, it was definitely one of the most competitive races on the female side – so many world record holders, Olympic champions.

“So to come fifth among all those girls, I really can’t complain.

“Holding my composure is something I’ve really worked on, and just holding my emotions together. 

“I love swimming and I want to do it as long as possible but it’s not something I let tear me apart anymore and I think that’s really reflected this week. 

“I’m really proud of myself.

America’s Alex Walsh, who had finished third to take the bronze medal, was disqualified for an illegal turn from backstroke into breaststroke.

Hopkin finishes 10th overall

Hopkin had kickstarted the night for Team GB in the Women’s 50km Freestyle but missed out on a final spot as she took fifth place in her semi-final,

She will be second reserve for Sunday’s final after clocking 24.50 to take 10th spot overall.

Earlier in the day, the Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay Team qualified for Sunday’s final.

Adam Peaty returned to the pool for the first time after being diagnosed with Covid earlier in the week following his second place in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke final.

They will swim in lane two on the final swimming session of the Olympic Games – which is also Britain’s only medal chance of the evening.

The women’s team missed out on a place in the top eight following the semi-final, finishing 10th overall.