A Team GB swimming champion collapsed in despair after experiencing Olympic disappointment, being disqualified from Paris 2024 despite finishing first in his race.
Luke Greenbank was removed from the 200m backstroke in the heats due to a little-known rule, believing he was set for the semi-finals on an otherwise outstanding day for British athletes.
The double Olympic medallist achieved a time of 1 minute 56 seconds, finishing over a second faster than Hungarian favourite Hubert Kos at La Defense Arena in the heart of Paris.
However, elation quickly turned into despair for the 26-year-old from Crewe as video evidence revealed he had swum too far underwater at the race’s outset, leaving him overcome with emotion as the reality set in.
This decision cost Britain a chance at a potential third gold medal following impressive victories by Adam Yee in the men’s triathlon and the women’s quadruple sculls rowing team.
Luke Greenbank looks distraught after being disqualified from the men’s 200m backstroke
Greenbank quickly realised his error, which ends his Olympic dream in the event in Paris
The 26-year-old broke the rules by going beyond the 15-metre mark while still underwater
Greenbank fell victim to a World Aquatics rule, established in 1988, which prohibits swimmers from going beyond the 15-metre mark while still underwater; they must breach the water’s surface by that point.
Upon glancing at the arena’s TV screens, Greenbank quickly understood he was disqualified, leading him to sink to the floor in heartbreak.
He later described his feelings as ‘absolutely gutted’, adding: ‘It’s incredibly frustrating; I feel like I’m in good shape.’
The complete ruling states: ‘Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race.’
‘Swimmers are allowed to be fully submerged during the turn, at the finish, and for a distance of no more than 15 metres after the start and following each turn.’
‘At that point, the head must have broken the surface.’
His teammate, Ollie Morgan, did not face any such issues as he advanced to the semi-finals.
Greenbank also took home silver in the 4x100m medley at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and is a former world champion in that event.
This incident was a minor setback on an otherwise remarkable day for Team GB, which included medals like silver for Kieran Reilly in the freestyle BMX.
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, daughter of TV chef Fred Sirieix, and Lois Toulson secured a hard-fought bronze in the women’s synchronized 10m platform diving event.
The medal rush has propelled Britain’s tally to 17, comprising six golds, six silvers, and five bronzes, enhancing Team GB’s position to fourth in the medal table, with the USA, Australia, and the Republic of Korea trailing behind.
Team GB star Yee made an impressive comeback in the men’s triathlon, racing to victory in the final seconds of a grueling race in Paris, marking the first gold of the day.
Very soon after, he was matched by the women’s quadruple sculls team of Lauren Henry, Hannah Scott, Lola Anderson, and Georgie Brayshaw.
They secured Britain’s first-ever gold in this event by overtaking the Netherlands with a final stroke, winning in a nail-biting finish.
Anderson, 26, broke down in tears and paid tribute to her late father Don, who passed away from cancer in 2019 but had held on to a teenage diary where she penned her dreams of winning Olympic gold at 14.
The finish was so close that a photo finish was required to determine the winning team, but the British crew celebrated soon after as footage revealed they finished 0.15 seconds ahead of their opponents.
Gold medallists Lauren Henry of Britain, Hannah Scott of Britain, Lola Anderson and Georgina Brayshaw of Britain hug, as they celebrate on the podium after winning
The photo finish showed the British crew, below, had narrowly edged ahead to clinch gold
Gold medalists Lauren Henry, Hannah Scott, Lola Anderson and Georgina Brayshaw of Team Great Britain pose after the rowing women’s quadruple sculls medal ceremony
Princess Anne attends the rowing women’s quadruple sculls medal ceremony on day five of the Olympic Games
Princess Anne presents the gold medals to Team GB’s Lauren Henry, Hannah Scott, Lola Anderson and Georgina Brayshaw
The quartet completed the race in a stunning 6 minutes 16.31 seconds, mirroring their triumph at the 2023 world championships by defeating the Dutch team for gold.
Germany rounded out the medal positions with a time of 6:19.70.
‘The crew today, Georgie, Lauren, and Lola were exceptional,’ said Scott.
‘We maintained our composure until the end, confident after countless arduous training sessions.’
Their medals were awarded by Princess Anne, an International Olympic Committee member who represented Britain in eventing at the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal.
Scottish athlete Beth Potter also showcased remarkable tenacity, securing a bronze medal in the women’s triathlon amid challenging conditions featuring crashes.
Team GB celebrated their first gold in the swimming pool in Paris on Tuesday night, as the relay team of James Guy, Tom Dean, Matt Richards, and Duncan Scott successfully defended their Olympic title in the 4x200m freestyle relay.
Further expectations for local triumph are on the horizon, with Britain anticipated to excel in the men’s artistic gymnastics and women’s canoe slalom later today.
Alex Yee is the Olympic men’s triathlon champion after winning the men’s race in Paris
Yee caught New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde (left) in the final stages of a thrilling race
An exhausted Yee is seen at the finish line after surging past Wilde in dramatic fashion
Alex Yee storms to the finish line to win the men’s triathlon
Gold medalist Alex Yee of Team Great Britain poses for a photo during the triathlon medal ceremony
Beth Potter claimed a bronze medal in the women’s triathlon on Wednesday morning
Fred Sirieix with his daughter Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and her diving partner Lois Toulson following their Bronze-medal win
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and Lois Toulson face backwards as they fall into the water as part of their synchronised 10m platform diving routine
The pair, pictured here in the tuck position during a dive, took third place in the close competition
Bronze medallists Lois Toulson of Britain and Andrea Spendolini Sirieix of Britain pose with their medals
Social media users quickly reacted to today’s spectacular victories, with one commenting that Team GB is ‘on a roll.’
One user on ‘X’ remarked: ‘Hasn’t this been amazing! Mum hasn’t had any meetings this morning, so she’s been able to keep it on in the background while working in the garden. Team GB is on a roll now!’
‘Team GB’s Medal Rush Morning has been incredible,’ added another.
Another tweet read: ‘What an emotional morning in Paris. The comebacks, the sportsmanship, the pure joy and pride displayed on the podium. Sport at its finest!’
