Adam Peaty tested positive for Covid on Monday, less than 24 hours after being denied an historic golden treble at the Paris Olympics, the British Olympic Association has announced. The 29-year-old complained of a sore throat after missing out on a third consecutive 100m breaststroke gold medal by 0.02sec.
The BOA remain optimistic Peaty will recover in time for the 4x100m medley and 4x100m mixed medley this week as he seeks to add to his six Olympic medals.
The BOA said: “Adam Peaty began feeling unwell on Sunday, ahead of his men’s 100m breaststroke final. In the hours after the final, his symptoms became worse and he was tested for Covid early on Monday morning. He tested positive at that point.
“He is hopeful to be back in competition for the relay events later in the swimming programme. As in any case of illness, the situation is being managed appropriately, with all usual precautions being taken to keep the wider delegation healthy.”
Peaty’s time of 59.05 seconds on Sunday was slower than he had swum in his semi-finals and he suffered a shock defeat to the Italian Nicolo Martinenghi. When he spoke afterwards, he was clearly struggling with a sore throat.
The 29-year-old conceded he had been “just 1% or 2% out” but said: “These are not excuses, these are just things athletes have to go through to find a way. And to see Nicolo win makes me so happy for him. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.”
“I had to go through a few things and I don’t want to go into detail. I used the logistics of the team to the best of my ability because I was not feeling 100%.”
Peaty sounded philosophical about getting sick. “I don’t really care,” he said. “I have raced people that haven’t felt 100%. I have won against people who haven’t felt 100%. And unfortunately it was my turn. I really think this moment was meant to be.”
“This is my sixth Olympic medal, three of them gold,. And the 14-year-old that started out on this crusade would have taken that. It’s broken me this sport, but it’s also given me life. It’s given me everything I am.”
