London 2012 Olympics: Michael Phelps gets gold as GB surprise in fourth

IT WAS the final night at the Aquatics Centre and it doubled as Michael Phelps’ retirement party, with the only remaining question whether, after the 4x100m medley relay final, he would go home with a gold watch or a gold medal, his fourth of the London Games and the 18th of his career.

Almost inevitably, he did, swimming the butterfly leg to put the USA in the lead, with Nathan Adrian stretching the lead over the final 100 metres, to win ahead by two seconds from Japan, with Australia collecting the bronze.

In fourth, less than a second behind Australia, was Great Britain, with Liam Tancock, Michael Rock, Adam Brown and Michael Jamieson, the Scotsman who won a silver medal in the 200 metres breaststroke.

Jamieson was in a bitter sweet mood after the race, having been surprised to find himself and his teammates in the final, then disappointed to go so close to winning a medal. “It’s a little bit disappointing to finish fourth but that’s the nature of sport,” said Jamieson.

“We were seeded 14th going into that on paper. We weren’t expected to make the final, but everyone stepped up and the guys in the heat did a great job to get us in the centre lane. We were in between Australia and the US, which as swimming populations are much greater than ours, so that was daunting, but it was a great race to be in, maybe Michael Phelps’ last. We posted a really good time there, and it’s been an absolute pleasure this week to race in front of the crowd.”

Finding themselves in between the USA and Australia brought advantages and disadvantages, said Jamieson. “For Adam Brown on the last leg it’s a bit of a disadvantage swimming in the waves,” he said, “but the job for us tonight was to stay within a body length, within touching distance when Adam went in so he could ride that wave behind them.”

It was another disappointing night for Team GB in the pool, and medal-less, despite hopes for 
Fran Halsall in the 50 metres freestyle. Halsall also finished fourth, having looked in contention for a medal for much of the race. She then stepped up for the women’s 4x100m medley, but the women were never in contention and finished eighth.

Jamieson said he was sorry the meet was over, and could reflect happily on his own performances, but that feeling was perhaps not shared by some of his British teammates. “It hasn’t been a disappointment in terms of our performances. We have had a great meet: the number of finalists and personal bests we’ve had is more than ever before, and as a swimming population we’re a much smaller nation compared to the bigger guys.

“But let’s not beat around the bush. We’d have liked to get more medals and we’ve had quite a few 4th place finishes. But I think this week has highlighted how small that margin for error is.

“I think my highlight of the Games was during Becky Adlington’s medal ceremony last night when she was presented with her bronze and the crowd started chanting her name,” continued Jamieson. “That was really something quite special. She’s had four Olympic finals and four medals, which is incredible.”

Although he wouldn’t commit himself to Rio in 2016, Jamieson said he would look forward to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in two years. “Glasgow will be a homecoming for me,” he said. “Tollcross is where I swam for five or six years. I want to go there to win. It will be tough just to make the Scottish team.”