Adam Peaty tests positive for COVID hours after missing out on 100m breaststroke gold at Paris Olympics by 0.02 seconds

Adam Peaty lost the gold medal to Nicolo Martinenghi by the barest of margins.

Adam Peaty tests positive for COVID hours after missing out on 100m breaststroke gold at Paris Olympics by 0.02 seconds

Adam Peaty (via X)

Adam Peaty tested positive for COVID-19 after being refuted by a record-breaking golden treble at the Paris Olympics on Monday, as reported by the British association. The British swimmer reported a sore throat after missing out on what would have been a hattrick of gold medals in 100m breaststroke by the barest of margins reading 0.02 seconds.

Hours after the testing, he was found to be positive for COVID. Responding to the unfortunate development, the British Olympic Association confirmed that Adam Peaty will hopefully recover in time for the upcoming 4x100m medley and 4x100m mixed medley which is slated to happen later in the week, eyeing an addition to his already decorated tally of six Olympic medals.

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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.
BOA said in their statement regarding Peaty.

Peaty later said he was just marginally out but refused to use this as an excuse. He pointed out that athletes have to brave these things and eventually find a way around to circumnavigate these choppy waters while accepting what happened to him is a part and parcel of the trade.

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A glance at the oscillating contest between Adam Peaty and Nicolo Martinenghi

Adam Peaty managed to complete the course in 59.05 seconds on Monday night to clinch the silver. However, it proved to be slower than what he racked up in the semi-finals.

It was Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi who managed to clinch gold. He had finished the event 0.02 seconds earlier than his British counterpart.

Adam Peaty
Adam Peaty (image courtesy: X)

Peaty was well in contention for his third consecutive gold medal in the Olympics which would have seen him equal the feat of Michael Phelps, being the second man to register three Olympic golds in the same discipline but life had other plans despite the best of his effort.

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