Paris Olympics: Adam Peaty Tested Positive For Covid Hours After Silver: Pays Tribute To Martinenghi, Marshall & Partner Ramsay
Adam Peaty tested positive for Covid in the hours after he won silver in the men’s 100m breaststroke final in Paris, Team GB have revealed.
The two-time Olympic champion finished 0.02secs behind Nicolo Martinenghi as the Italian claimed gold for Italy in 59.03 with Peaty sharing silver with Nic Fink of the USA in 59.05.
It was his sixth Olympic medal although it meant he didn’t join Michael Phelps as the only two men to have claimed the three-peat by virtue of winning the same event at three successive Olympic Games.
Adam Peaty, Nic Fink & Nicolo Martinenghi: Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
When Peaty came through the mixed zone to speak to reporters, he mentioned he’d woken up that morning feeling unwell with a sore throat, coughing and clearing his throat at times as he answered journalists’ questions although he was adamant he wouldn’t use that as “an excuse” for not having claimed the title.
However, a statement released by Team GB on Monday afternoon stated:
“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 swam the breaststroke leg on the mixed medley relay, splitting 56.78 as Great Britain won the inaugural Olympic title in Tokyo in a WR of 3:37.58 that stands today.
It will be contested on Friday 2 August.
He produced the fastest split in history – 56.53 – as he joined Luke Greenbank, James Guy and Duncan Scott in setting a European record of 3:27.51 en-route to silver behind the USA in the men’s medley relay in 2021, a standard that was subsequently matched by Italy a year later.
It is the penultimate race of the Paris pool programme but also represents the final event that will be overseen by Mel Marshall before she leaves to take up a high-performance role in Australia.
It is one, no doubt, that Peaty will be desperate to compete in given his long association with Marshall with the pair having blazed a trail into uncharted waters since he walked through her doors at the City of Derby club at the age of 14.
Adam Peaty: Photo Courtesy: Morgan Harlow/Aquatics GB
Peaty released a statement, confirming his intention of recovering in time for the relays.
“I am always an advocate for complete transparency in sport as there are so many gears to make it all work.
“As per the British Olympic Association press release, I tested positive for COVID this morning after feeling unwell yesterday. I’ll now be focusing on a fast, full recovery to give my best in the team relays later in the week.”
He also thanked Marshall and partner Holly Ramsay, while adding:
“A night full of raw emotion and sport in its true form. These last 14 months have been incredibly testing and I do not regret one training session or decision I made.
“I’ve continued to fight and find new ways to enjoy something that has broken me to the core and to end up with an Olympic silver through all of that is an absolute blessing. I’m more proud of the man and athlete I am from last night than I have been across my entire career.”
There was also a nod to Martinenghi, a day after he passed on the baton to the young Italian, saying:
“Congratulations to @nicolomartinenghi enjoy this beautiful moment with your team and loved ones.”