Throughout the eight years in which Adam Peaty secured his first two Olympic gold medals without facing defeat, he was perceived as a formidable force.
He continuously triumphed, showcasing dominance at the Rio Games in 2016 and again in Tokyo in 2021.
He displayed no signs of vulnerability or weakness, swimming as if nothing could halt him. He was seen as British sport’s ultimate Invincible.
Yet on Sunday night, as he propelled himself from the blocks at the stunning La Defense Arena for the men’s 100 metres breaststroke final, it became clear that he was not invincible.
We recognized he was not a machine, but a man, with fears, doubts, and vulnerabilities just like anyone else.
Adam Peaty during Sunday’s 100 metres Olympic breaststroke final at Paris 2024
Peaty earning the silver medal, finishing just 0.02 seconds behind Nicolo Martinenghi
Despite missing out on a third consecutive gold in the 100m breastroke, Peaty felt a sense of pride
Peaty also praised Italian champion Nicolo Martinenghi afterwards
Given the challenges he has faced since his victory in Tokyo three years ago, including his public struggles with alcohol and depression, a hiatus from the sport, and his recent defeats, winning in Paris would have marked an extraordinary achievement.
Yet, in spite of everything, it was difficult to express the disbelief that swept through the 17,000-seat arena when Peaty reached the finish line.
All attention shifted to the large scoreboard at the opposite end of the pool, revealing Peaty in second place, merely two hundredths of a second behind Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi.
Having endured so much in recent years, our instincts — and his prior performances — led us to expect that he would secure Britain’s first gold at these Games.
Everyone was left in awe, including Martinenghi. There was a consensus that if anyone could defeat Peaty, it would likely be his formidable Chinese rival Qin Haiyang.
However, to add to the sense of disbelief, Qin, who was among the 11 Chinese swimmers competing despite a previous positive test for a banned substance three years ago, finished in seventh place.
Nicolo Martinenghi celebrated his first-ever Olympic gold medal
Haiyang Qin was expected to be Peaty’s main rival but placed seventh
It seemed as if both Peaty and Qin, racing side by side in the middle of the pool, were so focused on each other that they overlooked the strong presence of the Italian swimmer. ‘He snatched that gold medal,’ noted Olympic medallist Steve Parry, ‘because everyone else was preoccupied with one another in the center of the pool.’
Consequently, Peaty, who ended up in a tie for second place with American Nic Fink, graciously swam over to embrace the 24-year-old Italian, showcasing the character of a true champion.
Later, standing on a lower step of the podium while the Italian national anthem rang out, Peaty openly congratulated the winner.
At that moment, the reality of the situation began to settle in. This was not the narrative expected, at least not in Britain. It was an evening filled with ‘what-ifs,’ as the weight of history couldn’t quite carry Peaty to the finish ahead.
Had Peaty claimed victory, he would have been the second man, following legendary American swimmer Michael Phelps, to win the same individual event at three consecutive Olympic Games.
Peaty congratulated Martinenghi moments after the race concluded
Former Olympic champion Michael Phelps spotted in Paris during the Games
Phelps was present in the remarkable arena, amidst the lively crowd who erupted when Leon Marchand secured France’s third gold medal of the Games in the men’s 400m individual medley earlier that evening.
It seemed he was prepared for Peaty’s crowning moment, poised to acknowledge another champion to join his ranks. Perhaps we expected too much. Just a year prior, Peaty had contemplated stepping away from the sport altogether.
“In that moment,” he reflected, “I just wanted to quit. I didn’t want to see a pool again. I felt defeated time and again.
“It’s been an incredibly lonely journey. The thoughts weighing down on me were, ‘You’re missing out on life, you’re not good enough, you need a drink, you can’t reach your desires, you cannot find happiness.’
“I was spiraling into self-destruction, and I don’t hesitate to admit that because I’m human. Acknowledging it allows me to begin seeking answers. I reached a point where I no longer recognized myself — I was unhappy in the pool, unhappy racing, which had been my greatest passion.
“I often found myself near a self-destruct button, feeling that if I didn’t secure the results I wanted, I would implode.”
Considering this, Sunday night’s outcome felt like a form of triumph. That’s how Peaty perceived it too as he fought back tears during a poolside interview right after the race.
“I’m not crying because I finished second,” Peaty expressed. “I’m crying because it took everything to get to this point.
“It’s incredibly tough. Winning once, and then again, and trying to find new ways to do it. Everything I’ve experienced has occurred for a purpose. I’m proud to compete with the world’s elite and finish second.”
“I’m not upset because I lost. Deep down, I feel victorious. These are tears of joy. I’ve given my all every day, and I can’t feel disappointed by that.”
Peaty visibly emotional following the final, with tears in his eyes
‘I’m not crying because I’ve come second. I’m crying because it took so much to get here’
“I was just one or two percent off my best. I woke up today feeling something in my neck. But these are not excuses; they are challenges athletes face to evolve.”
“This indeed feels like a victory for me. To witness Nicolo’s win fills me with happiness for him. I’ve raced against him for a long time, and he deserves this. I still have six Olympic medals to cherish.”
“I’m a deeply spiritual individual, and I prayed for God to reveal my true self. This is my essence. I couldn’t have given more.”
Peaty may not have won the race in Paris, but the smile on his face at the end suggested he discovered something in his life that holds more value than any medal.
