ADAM PEATY claimed a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke as he narrowly missed out a third consecutive Olympic gold in Paris.
The Staffordshire-born superstar has complete an incredible comeback amid battles with alcohol abuse and mental health issues.
Peaty was straight over to congratulate underdog Italian Nicolo Martinenghi who claimed the gold, as Team USA’s Nic Fink secured joint second.
There was just 0.02 seconds between them at 59.05secs- and nothing between Peaty and the American, who both won a silver medal.
Hero Peaty broke down in tears as he claimed his fifth Olympic medal, after winning the same race in 2016 and 2020, and landing silver in the 4x100m medley relay in Tokyo.
He told the BBC: “In my heart I’ve already won.
“It’s been a very long way back and I look at the score there and you would never think in your wildest dream that it would be 59s to win it there.
“I executed as well as I could. It doesn’t matter what it says on the scoreboard because in my heart I know that I’ve won there.
“I’m not crying because I’ve come second, I’m crying because of how hard its been to get here.
“I’m a very religious man and I asked god just to show my heart and this is my heart, I couldn’t have done more.”
Mixed 4x100m medley relay
Men’s 4x100m medley relay
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Had Peaty come home with gold, he would have been the first swimmer since Michael Phelps to win three consecutive titles in the same individual event.
The medal ceremony was presented by the Princess Royal at the La Defense Arena.
Ahead of the race, one of the main obstacles to the gold medal was the Chinese swimmer Qin Haiyang, who holds the world record in the 200m breaststroke.
In 2023, Peaty bravely revealed he was stepping away from swimming for mental health reasons.
Former partner and mother to his three-year-old son George Eirianedd Munro revealed earlier this year, that Peaty had been struggling with depression and alcoholism.
In October 2023 he announced he would be returning to compete in the Olympics.
Peaty has also overcome a broken foot to prepare himself for Paris 2024.
The world record holder was emotional while his parents and son spoke about his career in a touching montage for the BBC.
Coach Mel Marshall also broke down in tears, saying: “The only people in the world that knew what it was like was me and you. I hope you feel supported and know I’m here for you.”
Peaty previously told The Independent in a candid interview: “I pretty much hated swimming. But now I’m enjoying it so much again.
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been and the most calculated and balanced too.
“I thrive when given a great challenge. I’m looking for my final form, in terms of everything. My life and my relationships with people too.”
The eight-time world champion is now in a relationship celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s daughter Holly, whom he met while filming Strictly Come Dancing in 2021.
The Chinese swimming team have faced increased levels of doping testing after an investigation by the New York Times.
It revealed that 23 Chinese athletes, including Qin, had been allowed to compete at the 2021 Olympics despite testing positive for a banned substance.
