Tom Dean ’in a great position’ after booking spot in 200m Freestyle final

They’re sharing an apartment in Tokyo … now Tom Dean and Duncan Scott will be bidding to share a place on an Olympic Games podium.

The duo both booked their spots in the 200m Freestyle final with Scott qualifying quickest in 1:44.60 after winning the second semi-final and Dean fourth fastest in 1:45.34.

They’ll go head-to-head at 2.43am UK time on Tuesday 27 July.

Dean said: “On paper, the stat is we were first and second quickest coming into the Olympics, but it’s not raced on paper. 

“We’ve got to wait and see, but we’re in a great position going into tomorrow morning.”

Scott added: “”It feels good being in the final. 

“It’s great to have Deano there as well – I love racing with him. He’s a great teammate and we’re in an apartment together as well, so it’s really good fun.”

Meanwhile Sarah Vasey was looking at the positive of reaching an Olympic Games semi-final after just missing out on a place in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke final.

Vasey clocked 1:06.87 to finish fifth in her race and 11th overall.

But the 24-year-old was not downbeat after saying: “The Olympic experience is amazing. 

Pinching myself

“If I’d told myself 10 years ago I’d be doing this, I’d have been pinching myself at being in an Olympic semi-final, so you’ve got to take the positives.

“I thought it was going to be a lot faster, I feel like I’d done everything I can to prepare for that and I feel like I deserved a better race, but sometimes you’ve just got to deal with what you’re dealt. 

“I felt really good and I knew what I needed to move on from last night, I thought I’d done that but obviously not.”

Kathleen Dawson booked her spot in the Women’s 100m Backstroke final – but Cassie Wild missed out.

Dawson was third in her semi-final in 58.56, while Wild finished 8th – and 15th overall on her Olympic debut– in 1:00.20.

“I feel like I’ve had a great load of confidence building up into this,” said Dawson. “Especially winning Europeans twice in the same night! 

“I was really confident coming in. It’s definitely been a rollercoaster over recent years, but I think the proof is in the swimming that I’ve come back stronger than ever.

“It’s amazing just to be a part of this point in history in backstroke. 

“I’m not too focused on getting a medal because there’s obviously some great competitors in there, but I want to be in the mix – and it could be anyone. 

“It’s just about getting your hand on that wall.”