Co-silver medalist Adam Peaty of Great Britain tested positive for COVID following the 100-meter breaststroke and his status for relay events later this week is undetermined, the team said Monday.
Peaty woke up feeling “unwell” before Sunday’s race won by Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi and finished in a tie for second place with American Nic Fink, 0.02 seconds behind the gold medalist. Only after his condition worsened was Peaty tested for COVID, the team said Monday.
“As in any case of illness, the situation is being managed appropriately, with all usual precautions being taken to keep the wider delegation healthy,” Great Britain said in a release.
Peaty was chasing a gold medal in the event for the third consecutive Games. The 29-year-old instead came away with his third silver medal.
He did not swim at the 2022 world championships while recovering from a fractured foot.
Swimming relay events — the men’s mixed and 4x-100 medley — in the 2024 Games take place later this week. There are no established protocols for testing and isolation.
“You can train eight years for something and not feel 100 percent on the day. And 100 percent costs you 0.02 (seconds), and that’s just the way it is,” Peaty said, denying he would use the illness as an excuse.”
–Field Level Media
