- Clare Balding commended Adam Peaty for his pride in winning an Olympic silver medal
- Balding noted that Peaty’s response contrasted sharply with that of England’s Euro 2024 players
Clare Balding commended Team GB’s Adam Peaty for proudly wearing his silver medal after finishing just shy of gold at the Olympics and criticized the actions of England’s Euro 2024 finalists.
Peaty secured second place in the 100 metre breaststroke, with Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi taking gold.
Peaty fell just 0.02 seconds short of the gold medal and shared the silver with Nic Fink from the USA.
Following their defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final this month, former manager Gareth Southgate and several players, including Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, and Kyle Walker, were seen removing their runners-up medals almost immediately.
Balding expressed disappointment towards the England players and took a moment to laud Peaty and Fink.
Clare Balding praised Team GB’s Adam Peaty for keeping his silver medal on at the Olympics
Balding criticised England’s Euro 2024 stars, many of whom withdrew their medals
Gareth Southgate, after his final game as England manager, took his medal off
Speaking on BBC Sport, Balding remarked: ‘I appreciate this because truly, after the Euros final when they all removed their medals, I thought, ‘You reached the final and performed admirably, don’t dismiss its significance.’
‘In contrast, I find it commendable that Adam and Nick Fink are evidently very proud of their silver medals and will hold them up saying, ‘Yes, I achieved this.’
Former world champion swimmer Mark Foster echoed Balding’s sentiments, stating: ‘Absolutely. Why would you take off your medal? Do you suddenly feel like a loser just because you came second in a competition? No, you are the second-best in the world or in Europe. You should be proud of that. Yes, entirely.’
‘It’s likely a spontaneous emotional reaction. One does it and then everyone else follows suit.’
Jude Bellingham also took his runners-up medal off following England’s final defeat
Cole Palmer, who scored for England in the final, was also seen withdrawing his medal
Peaty expressed his emotions after finishing in second place, clarifying that he shed tears of joy.
He stated: ‘I’m not crying because I came second. I’m crying because of the effort it took to get here.’
‘Deep down, I feel like a winner. These tears are tears of happiness.’
