A Bury-born swimmer has grabbed an Olympic gold medal as the GB men’s 4x200m freestyle relay teamscored an emotional, record-breaking victory in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Guy – originally from north Greater Manchester but educated at Forest Preparatory School in Timperley – was shown collapsing in tears of joy at the result; having added gold to a personal trophy cabinet already containing two silvers from Rio 2016.
Team GB’s Tokyo freestyle relay team featured Tom Dean and Duncan Scott (who took gold and silver respectively in Tuesday’s 200m freestyle), Matthew Richards and Guy himself.
The barnstorming performance resulted in a third swimming gold for the nation whilst also setting a new European record of 6:58.58.
The result also proved to be just 0.03 seconds off the world’s fastest time.
Speaking to the cameras after the victory, Guy told the BBC: “As a kid winning an Olympic gold medal was my absolute dream and to do it finally after 25 years is pretty emotional.
“With these four lads here we’ve got the best freestylers in the world.”
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He said that getting a gold was “a dream come true”.
Team GB’s official Twitter account called it a “stunning, stunning swim”.
The last time Great Britain won a gold in the 4×200 freestyle relay was in London in 1908 – over 113 years ago.
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Guy’s medal-winning performance marks another triumph for Greater Manchester-born athletes at the latest games – with Mancunian Georgia Taylor-Brown taking silver in the women’s triathlon earlier this week despite a flat tyre during the cycling section.
As of Wednesday morning (28 July), Team GB have 15 medals at Tokyo 2020 so far – including five gold, six silver, and four bronze.
Featured image: Olympics.com
Bury
Urgent search for missing 80-year-old ‘keen walker’ from Bury
Daisy Jackson
A keen walker and birdwatcher from Bury has gone missing while out walking in a local beauty spot, with an urgent search now taking place.
Brian Fletcher, 80, travelled from his home to the Tockholes area of Lancashire on Saturday afternoon.
Brian regularly walks in the area, police have said, including the Higher Roddlesworth and Lower Roddlesworth Reservoirs.
He hasn’t been seen since the weekend and officers are now urgently appealing for anyone who was in the area to come forward with dashcam footage.
If you were on the A675 Belmont Road – from Abbey Village to Tockholes – between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, and have footage or information, you should contact the police immediately.
Brian was driving a grey Citroen C4 Cactus car, registration WP64HSC, which was found parked in a layby on the A675, near to Tockholes Road.
He’s described as 5ft 8, slim, with grey hair and a small scar on his face from a recent procedure.
When Brian was last seen he was wearing a dark blue jumper, blue cargo trousers, a tan baseball cap and walking boots.
Bolton Mountain Rescue confirmed that search helicopters and dogs are being used in the search.
Lancashire Police said: “We are concerned for Brian’s welfare and if you think you have seen him over the weekend in the Tockholes and surrounding areas, please get in touch.
“Any sightings, please call 999 immediately. If you have dashcam footage of his car or any information which could assist us in finding Brian, contact 101 – quoting log 1544 of 22nd March 2025.
“Our officers are being assisted by Mountain Rescue teams in the search.”
Man arrested after ‘letting gas off’ on Metrolink trams in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Police have arrested a man following reports of a person ‘letting gas off’ on Metrolink trams.
Passengers had reported a man ‘wearing a gas mask’ boarding services between Bury and Victoria, who was releasing gas.
Several witnesses reported ‘feeling discomfort or dizziness’ following the ‘concerning incidents’, but thankfully no serious injuries have been reported.
A man in his 30s has now been arrested on suspicion of possessing a noxious substance with intent to injure, and remains in police custody.
There’s not believed to be any wider threat to the public.
Trams on the Bury line were also suspended this morning due to a ‘police incident’ at Crumpsall.
Anyone who believes they may have witnessed something suspicious is urged to get in touch with police as this work continues.
Trams were halted due to a police incident at Crumpsall this morning – a man has now been arrested for releasing gas. Credit: Geograph, David Dixon
Detective Chief Inspector Paddy Connell, from GMP’s City of Manchester Division, said: “We fully appreciate that incidents of this nature can cause concern in our communities, but I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there is any wider threat present.
“We have now secured the arrest of a man and are working hard to establish the full circumstances of the events that have been reported over recent days.
“As officers continue to work their way through all the evidence available, we are asking anyone who has any information to please come forward. This includes anyone who believes they have witnessed something suspicious, or similar to the incidents that we are dealing with.
“Our transport hubs are operating as usual, and I would encourage anyone with any concerns to speak to a police officer, who will be more than happy to discuss any queries you may have.”
You can contact police via 101 or the Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
The Manc -
28th July 2021 
