Adam Peaty tests positive for Covid with relays still to come at Paris 2024

Adam Peaty has tested positive for Covid after winning silver in the 100m breaststroke at Paris 2024 on Sunday night.

The Team GB star began to feel unwell ahead of the race on Sunday, in which he very narrowly missed out on gold by 0.02 seconds, and complained of a sore throat after the contest.

He has since been confirmed to be suffering from Covid, testing positive on Monday morning, but remains ‘hopeful’ that he can compete in the relay races that are to come later in the week.

Team GB confirmed: ‘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 has posted a lengthy message on his Instagram following his silver medal on Sunday, confirming that he will ‘now be focusing on a fast, full recovery to give my best in the team relays later in the week.’

‘A night full of raw emotion and sport in its true form,’ Peaty wrote. ‘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.

‘Thank you to my coach of 15 years @melmarshallmassive who has been the light in the darkness and the guide when there was no path to follow; your uncompromising, firm and positive attitude is truly inspiring and I can’t think of a better person to be my coach. We have gone to places not many people will ever go and those memories will be with me until my last breath – a true pleasure to share them with you.

‘Thank you to @hollyramsayy who has been the best partner anyone could have in all of this. It’s never easy to undertake the challenges of living with a professional athlete with the emotional and physical toll it takes on us. You are the support behind me but also the best pruner of the tree, always letting me know and helping me where I can be better. I can’t wait for the exciting future we have together.

‘Congratulations to @nicolomartinenghi enjoy this beautiful moment with your team and loved ones.

‘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.

‘I’ve had so many messages and I’ll get back to you all, thank you for your support as it has truly been an unforgettable journey. My heart is full.

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬’

The men’s 4x100m medley relay is coming up with the heats on Saturday 3 August, with the final the day after. The mixed 4x100m medley relay is on Friday 2 August.

Peaty was just 0.02 seconds behind the winner Nicolo Martinenghi on Sunday, but was far from devastated by the narrow loss, delighted to have come so close to a third straight gold at the Olympic Games.

‘It has been a very long way back. I look at the score there and you would never think in your wildest dreams that it would be 59 seconds to win it,’ he told the BBC.

‘I gave it my absolute all. I executed it as well as I could. It’s not about the end goal, it’s about the process. It doesn’t matter what time it says on the scoreboard, I think in my heart I have already won.

‘I’m so happy that I can race against the best in the world and still come joint-second. In my heart I have won, these are happy tears.

‘I gave my absolute best every single day and I cannot be upset about that. I’m almost an older man here now.

‘I can’t have that relentless pursuit every single day without a sacrifice of some sort – they come in every single form. It’s very hard to compete with the younger ones, so I’m very happy with that.’

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