Matthew Richards led Team GB to a first placed finish in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay heats.

Eighteen-year-old Richards was scheduled to take part in the heats of the 100m men’s freestyle less than an hour before but withdrew last minute to focus on the team event.

Richards partnered James Guy, Tom Dean & Calum Jarvis on Tuesday afternoon as they finished with the fastest overall time in the qualifying for Wednesday’s final.

The Droitwich-born swimmer started the race for the team, finishing his stretch in third position before impressive displays from Guy and Jarvis gave the Brits a comfortable lead.

Dean finished the race, fresh off winning gold in the men’s 200m freestyle with compatriot Duncan Scott coming second, the first time two British swimmers have completed an Olympic one-two since 1908.

The British relay team finished with a time of 7:03:25, followed by Australia and then the United States.

In the other heat Italy came out on top, with a time of 7:05:05 with Russia and Switzerland completing the top three.

Germany and Brazil also qualified for Wednesday’s final.

Richards was part of the 4x100m men’s freestyle relay team that came fifth in their heat on Sunday July 25 but will be hoping for greater success in the 200m event.

Growing up, Richards attended Bishop Perowne CoE College, training at both Droitwich Leisure Centre and then Worcester Swimming Club.

In lockdown he had to get creative, building a ‘swimming treadmill’ at his home using an inflatable pool, a harness, and a bungee rope.

The strange conditions didn’t stop him from earning a place in the British swimming team, qualifying through a trial event in April.

The final takes place at 3:26am, UK time, on Wednesday July 28.