Adam Peaty Ruled Out Of World Championships In Budapest With Foot Injury
Adam Peaty will miss the World Championships in Budapest in June after fracturing a bone in his right foot during training in Tenerife.
The eight-time world champion – who describes himself as “devastated” – sustained the injury during gym training and will now have complete rest for six weeks taking him to around the third week in June.
It throws into question his participation at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham with the 100m breaststroke getting under way on 30 July and the European Championships starting on 11 August.
His absence also means the three-time Olympic champion will miss out on the chance to make history as the first man to claim four successive global doubles after he claimed the 50 and 100 breaststroke titles in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
Katinka Hosszu is the only swimmer to have so far achieved that feat with the Hungarian having claimed the 200 and 400IM titles between 2013 and 2019.
GB mixed relay, 2021 European Championships: Photo Courtesy: Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto
It is also a huge blow for the British team with Peaty an integral part of the men’s and mixed relay teams that have won two golds, a silver and a bronze at the last three World Championships.
The 100br was to have been a real highlight of the meet at the Duna Arena from 18-25 June with the Tokyo podium of Peaty, Arno Kamminga and Nicolo Martinenghi to have been reunited although the trio may yet meet at the Europeans in Rome.
A statement from Peaty read:
“Earlier this week whilst training in the gym, I fractured a bone in my foot. I have been advised to rest for 6 weeks which unfortunately takes me out of contention for the FINA World Championships in Budapest next month.
“I’ve fortunately never had to deal with an injury in my swimming career so this is a real blow and a new challenge for me.
“But I am surrounded by a superb team who will support and guide me through this period and get me to where I need to be.
“I’m already in great hands and starting to recover but, honestly, I’m devastated.
“I work extremely hard and have dedicated my life to my training so I can be the absolute best I can be in the pool. I was on track for a huge summer so, like when anything doesn’t go according to plan, it’s a really challenging time.
“I won’t compromise my recovery and I will use this time to reflect on what the sport means to me and what it feels like to watch someone else win a race I should be in. It’s not going to be easy! That said, I wish all the best to my competitors.
“I’ll never shy away from a challenge but on this one, I’ve got to use my head more than my heart. But I will be back in the pool just as soon as I can be with my focus now on recovering and building up my strength ahead of the Commonwealth Games this summer.”
New Territory For Peaty
It is unfamiliar territory for Peaty – who is coached by Mel Marshall at Loughborough – who is unbeaten in the 100m since making his senior international debut at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Since then he has won three Olympic titles among five medals, eight world golds and 10 medals overall and three among a six-strong haul at the Commonwealth Games.
His European record reads 16 races, 16 golds – Peaty completing the quadruple quadruple in Budapest last year with victories in the 50 and 100br and the men’s and mixed medley relays.