- The 29-year-old stated after the race, ‘it just hurt too much this time.’
- GB narrowly missed out on bronze to France, while China secured gold and the USA took silver.
- Peaty’s swift breaststroke leg initially put GB in front, but the team faltered in the latter stages.
Adam Peaty has announced that he will ‘step away’ from competitive swimming following another disappointment in the men’s 4x100m medley relay.
The 29-year-old revealed after Team GB’s fourth-place finish that ‘it just hurt too much this time,’ just days after he described this as the ‘worst week’ of his life while recovering from Covid.
Peaty and his teammates narrowly edged out of a medal at the Aquatic Centre, falling just short of bronze, which was claimed by France.
China clinched gold with a world-record final freestyle leg from Pan Zhanle, while the USA secured silver on the last night of swimming at the Paris Olympics.
The British squad started the race strongly, with Peaty displaying his talent during an exceptional breaststroke leg to take an early lead.
Adam Peaty has announced that he will ‘step away’ from swimming following another disappointment
The 29-year-old stated after Team GB’s fourth place in the race, ‘it just hurt too much this time’
The British team started off strong before Peaty showed his class with a rapid breaststroke leg
As the race progressed, Team GB fell behind, particularly when butterfly swimmer Duncan Scott struggled to keep pace with French athlete Maxime Grousset.
Great Britain did not qualify for the women’s medley relay final, which was the concluding event at the aquatic center, finishing the Games with one gold and four silvers.
The USA dominated the pool once again, earning 28 medals, including eight golds, while Australia secured 18 medals, with seven being gold.
After his final Olympic race, the iconic swimmer discussed his future with the BBC: ‘Tomorrow’s never promised, so why worry?
‘If my heart wants it, it wants it, and I’ll definitely sign that contract with myself to pursue it—but that may be a long way off.’
‘However, I think I must take a step back from the sport as it has just caused too much pain—truly.’
Peaty was also asked about the recent departure of Mel Marshall, who coached him for 17 years, to Australia.
He responded: ‘Tonight could have been emotional. It was her last competition with me in that capacity. This might have been my last event here—I’m not sure.
‘She has an incredible future ahead, and I hope she attracts the right talent in Australia.
Peaty and his teammates narrowly missed out on a medal at the Aquatic Centre this evening after being pipped by France for bronze
China clinched gold following a world-record freestyle leg from Pan Zhanle
The USA ended up with silver on the last night of swimming at the Paris Olympics
‘You can’t swim poorly in Southport. It’s a fantastic pool, and she (Marshall) deserves it. She is meant to lead that program and provide the best for them.
‘I plan to visit her in January and take a month off from everything, but I’m unsure what the next steps should be.
‘If my family requires me, then they come first. If my passion remains, it remains, but I’m focused on enjoying today instead of fretting about the future.’
