Paris Olympics, Day 2 Finals: Nicolo Martinenghi Comes Through To Win 100m Breaststroke By 0.02; Peaty & Fink Share Silver
Nicolo Martinenghi came through at the touch to win the 100m breaststroke title and in the process extinguish Adam Peaty’s hopes of the three-peat at La Défense Arena.
Peaty appeared to be on course to add Paris gold to his titles from Rio 2016 and Tokyo three years ago.
Martinenghi though got the touch in 59.03 with Peaty and Nic Fink sharing silver in 59.05 followed by German duo Melvin Imoudu (59.11) and Lucas Matzerath (59.30), Tokyo silver medallist Arno Kamminga (59.32), Qin Haiyang (59.50) and Caspar Corbeau (59.98).
- Meet Results
- 2024 Paris Olympics Meet Page
- World Record: Adam Peaty, GBR – 56.88 (2019)
- Olympic Record: Adam Peaty, GBR – 57.13 (2016)
- Tokyo Olympic Champion: Adam Peaty, GBR – 57.37
Peaty arrived at La Défense Arena one step away from claiming his third straight title following victories at Rio 2016 and Tokyo in 2021.
The spotlight was immense although the world record-holder said after the semis that he would “embrace the nerves,” his intention to finish the race knowing he’d given everything he could.
Nicolo Martinenghi: Photo courtesy: Giorgio Scala/Deepbluemedia
Qin touched first at the turn in 27.03, 0.05 ahead of Peaty before he was overhauled by the Briton who was on the verge of more history, only to take a long glide into the wall with Martinenghi stealing in to perfectly spot his finish and claim the crown.
With that, the Italian upgraded Tokyo bronze to Paris gold to add to his extensive silverware that includes world and European titles.
Martinenghi said: “It was a dream come true to be Olympic champion. It’s insane, it’s insane. I was only focusing on myself. When I touched the board and saw one light I was so happy. The time wasn’t so fast but I don’t care. I was the fastest.
For Peaty there was the sense of handing on the baton to the 24-year-old Italian, just as he followed Cameron van der Burgh.
It has been a path strewn with obstacles for Peaty who spiralled in early 2023, turning to alcohol and having to confront mental health issues that came with the pressure and loneliness of the pioneer.
He told the BBC: “It’s been a very long way back. I look at the score there and you never figure it is going to be 59 to win it. I gave it my absolute all there. I did as well as I could. It’s about the process. It doesn’t matter what the time says, or the score. Because in my heart I have already won.
Adam Peaty: Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
“I’m not crying because I’ve come second. I am crying because it just took so much to get here.
“It’s just incredibly hard. To win it once, and to win it again, and to win it again. And to try and find new ways to win it. Everything I have done to this point has happened for a reason. And I am so happy I can race the best in the world and come second.
“It’s not crying because I have lost or whatever. Because in my heart I have won. These are happy tears. Because I have given it my absolutely best every single day and I can’t be upset about that.
“This event has changed so much. I was racing Cam for many years. And I was different. But now I am almost an older man here now. I can’t have that relentlessness every single day without a sacrifice of some sort. It comes in many ways, my timing, my energy, my relationships. It is very hard to compete with the younger ones but I am so happy with that because in my heart I couldn’t have done more.”
Fink shared silver with Martinenghi and Kamminga in an historic three-way tie at last year’s World Championships behind Qin as the Chinese claimed an unprecedented breaststroke clean sweep.
The USA athlete said: “I’ve actually split a silver medal before in the 100 breast, so it’s kind of funny how it’s happened again. But especially with Adam, he’s a legend of the sport. It’s really awesome to see his comeback and his return and to share the podium with him, let alone the silver medal. It’s an awesome experience.”
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Congratulations to the Italian.
Oh so close Peaty!
But at least the Dictatorships PED’s swimmer was denied a podium finish!