Leeds athletes lead the way on medal-manic #MagicMonday
Team GB competitors linked to Leeds have had a big impact on a huge day at Tokyo 2020
Last updated 26th Jul 2021
Athletes connected to Leeds are leading the way on a huge day for Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
In one day, Team GB's athletes have won three gold medals. 2 of them were thanks to athletes from Leeds!
Click here for the latest on Team GB's medal success.
Diving with a legend
23-year-old Matty Lee was diving with Tom Daley, and helped the 27-year-old to his first ever Olympic gold, in his fourth gold.
Previously, Daley has won 2 bronze medals.
However, the pair won the synchronised 10 metre platform competition, just before 8am UK time.
Daley said he could not believe it after securing his first Olympic gold medal at his fourth games.
"You want to win an Olympic gold medal but never think you actually will," he said. "I will carry on but I will definitely take a break. There are some beverages with my name on it to celebrate with my husband and family.
"This means an incredible amount. All athletes put in such hard work and dedication into our performances. To be an Olympic champion after four attempts at it feels extremely special."
Lee added: "In 2018 I moved my whole life to London from Leeds, I had nothing really in London. Our aim was to get an Olympic medal and for it to go the way we wanted it to is awesome.
"I owe a lot to Tom because he has taught me a lot."
Making cycling history
Tom Pidcock made history, becoming Team GB's first ever mountain bike cross-country gold medallist.
The 21-year-old, who grew up in Leeds, finished 20 seconds in front of the world number 1.
Pidcock said: "It's nothing like any other race. The Olympics just transcends any sport. You compete and represent your country and everyone in your country is behind you, no matter in what sports they like. It's just national pride, it's unbelievable.
"I know that my mum and girlfriend are crying at home. It's sad that they can't be here but I see them when I get home."
When asked how it felt to win gold, Pidcock told Eurosport: "Not real really. It's pretty crazy that I became an Olympian and I was trying to tell myself at the start of the race it's special just to be here."
Beckett graduate continues triathlon legacy
Overnight, the men's triathlon also took place, and while it wasn't the year for West Yorkshire's Brownlee Brothers, Alex Yee, who studied at Leeds Beckett University, took a silver medal!
He also said the legacy of the Brownlee brothers was still incredible, despite Jonny coming fifth, and Alistair not qualifying.
Yee said: "To be in the same sentence as Alistair and Jonny, I felt really privileged to be in the same conversation talking about qualification.
"They've been a massive inspiration to me and the generation that's coming through.
"It's really cool to hopefully take on their legacy and help grow the sport like they have for us. It's incredible where triathlon is now compared to where it was before them both."
IN PICTURES: Team GB's medal hopefuls
Max Whitlock - Gymnastics
Max Whitlock is a five-time Olympic medallist already. He won three bronze medals at London 2012 and two golds in Rio 2016. He'll be hoping for gold on the pommel horse in Tokyo
Giles Scott - Sailing
Giles Scott will be hoping to replicate his Rio 2016 form where he won gold for Team GB in the Finn Class sailing event. He totally dominated the event in 2016, ensuring victory with a day to spare!
Jade Jones - Taekwondo
Jades Jones is looking for her third gold medal in a row in Tokyo. She already has golds in Taekwondo from London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Laura Kenny and Jason Kenny - Cycling
This couple has 11 Olympic medals between them already! Laura Kenny has won four in the Omnium and the Team Pursuit. Jason Kenny has won 6 golds and a silver across the last three Olympics.
Adam Peaty - Swimming
Adam Peaty holds the world record for 50 and 100 metre breaststroke, he also won gold in the 100 metre breaststroke at the 2016 Olympics and is a real favourite to take the gold again in Tokyo
Dina Asher-Smith - Athletics
Dina Asher-Smith is the fastest British woman ever recorded! She won the 200m world championship in 2019 and won a bronze medal with Team GB for the 4x100m relay in Rio.
Sky Brown - Skateboarding
Sky Brown will be competing for Team GB in one of the new sports - Skateboarding. At just 13 she will be the youngest ever British olympian, but as she won a bronze medal at the World Skateboarding championship back in 2019, she's a favourite for a medal.