TOUCH UNLUCKY! Gutted Team GB Silver Medallist Matt Richards Claims ‘I Thought I Finished First’
Matt Richard thought he'd won gold, but then he reckoned he was the victim of a curse after missing out by just 0.02 seconds.
The "gutted" Team GB swimmer fell short in the 200m freestyle by the same margin legendary team-mate Adam Peaty missed Paris glory.
Romania's red-hot favorite David Popovici nicked victory ahead of Richards after the tightest of final 50m bursts.
USA star Luke Hobson pipped Brit Duncan Scott for bronze.
Richards told the BBC: "I thought I had got it, it felt as if I had touched it first.
"The time says differently. It is not a sport that is up for debate, it is black and white.
"It wasn't my best finish, I would be lying if I said it was fantastic. We move on, get better, and try to get it next time."
He was then asked if he thought repeating Peaty's margin of misfortune was a curse.
Richards replied: "It seems that way."
But he added: "I can't be too disappointed with that. My first individual at an Olympic games, so coming away with a silver is great.
And despite appearing to falter as the 200m entered the final 15m in Paris, he found a spurt of pace that seriously worried Popovici.
So when he lost out moments later by the thickness of a swimming cap, Richards won't be the only one who believed he had edged gold.
Many fans on social media certainly agreed with his initial verdict.
One viewer posted: "Matthew Richards was robbed in the 200m freestyle. Oh well!"
The swimmer also revealed his sympathy for team-mate Scott.
Richards said: "Look, if anything it has added more fire to my belly. I've got a lot more to come this week.
"It fuels me for the rest of the week.
"Gutted for Duncan, myself, and him in second and fourth, just missing out on the medal he deserves it more than anyone - that bodes well for our 4x200m."
The "gutted" Team GB swimmer fell short in the 200m freestyle by the same margin legendary team-mate Adam Peaty missed Paris glory.
Romania's red-hot favorite David Popovici nicked victory ahead of Richards after the tightest of final 50m bursts.
USA star Luke Hobson pipped Brit Duncan Scott for bronze.
Richards told the BBC: "I thought I had got it, it felt as if I had touched it first.
"The time says differently. It is not a sport that is up for debate, it is black and white.
"It wasn't my best finish, I would be lying if I said it was fantastic. We move on, get better, and try to get it next time."
He was then asked if he thought repeating Peaty's margin of misfortune was a curse.
Richards replied: "It seems that way."
But he added: "I can't be too disappointed with that. My first individual at an Olympic games, so coming away with a silver is great.
And despite appearing to falter as the 200m entered the final 15m in Paris, he found a spurt of pace that seriously worried Popovici.
So when he lost out moments later by the thickness of a swimming cap, Richards won't be the only one who believed he had edged gold.
Many fans on social media certainly agreed with his initial verdict.
One viewer posted: "Matthew Richards was robbed in the 200m freestyle. Oh well!"
The swimmer also revealed his sympathy for team-mate Scott.
Richards said: "Look, if anything it has added more fire to my belly. I've got a lot more to come this week.
"It fuels me for the rest of the week.
"Gutted for Duncan, myself, and him in second and fourth, just missing out on the medal he deserves it more than anyone - that bodes well for our 4x200m."
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SportsTranscript
00:00Matt Richard thought he'd won gold, but then he reckoned he was the victim of a curse after
00:11missing out by just 0.02 seconds. The gutted Team GB swimmer fell short in the 200m freestyle
00:18by the same margin legendary teammate Adam Petey missed Paris glory. Romania's red-hot
00:23favourite David Popowici nicked victory ahead of Richard's after the tightest of final 50m bursts.
00:29USA star Luke Hobson pipped grid Duncan Scott for bronze.
00:34Richard's told the BBC, I thought I had got it, it felt as if I had touched it first.
00:39The time says differently. It is not a sport that is up for debate, it is black and white.
00:45It wasn't my best finish, I would be lying if I said it was fantastic.
00:50We move on, get better, and try to get it next time.
00:54He was then asked if he thought repeating Petey's margin of misfortune was a curse.
00:59Richard's replied, it seems that way. But he added, I can't be too disappointed with that.
01:05My first individual at an Olympic Games, so coming away with a silver is great.