By Alan Baldwin
PARIS (Reuters) – Adam Peaty returned to the Olympic pool on Saturday after what he described as the worst week of his life recovering from COVID.
The triple gold medallist, who went into isolation after taking silver in last Sunday’s 100 metres breaststroke, helped Britain reach the final of the men’s 4×100 medley relay at the La Defense Arena.
The final is the penultimate race of the meet on Sunday night.
“Just trying to get that heat swim done, obviously you need to be very safe,” Peaty said after Britain qualified fifth fastest overall with Leon Marchand’s France emerging on top of the timesheets.
Britain were second fastest in their heat, behind defending champions the United States.
“We’ve got through. I’m glad I’ve got a heat swim. It’s my first hard stuff since I had the final on Sunday last week. It’s been a rough week but hopefully we’ll find a way through the next 36 hours,” Peaty said.
He could also swim the breaststroke leg when world record holders Britain seek to defend their title in the mixed 4×100 medley relay later on Saturday.
The 29-year-old said he got back in the pool on Wednesday night but was still not symptom-free and was now struggling with an ear infection.
“It’s probably the worst week of my life in terms of how my body is, and that’s no exaggeration,” he said. “Everything’s come at once. Since COVID, it’s just every day waking up with a different thing.
“The medical team’s been brilliant. I mean, I think it’s just a victory getting on that start block there. But now, hopefully, that’ll give my body a nice little push for tomorrow.”
Peaty said he knew he would not be 100% fit but would still give his best effort.
Britain took silver in the men’s medley relay at the last Olympics in Tokyo.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by Alison Williams)
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