By Charlotte Wells on SwimSwam
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Great Britain’s Adam Peaty cried “happy tears” during an emotional post-race interview with the BBC following his silver medal finish in the 100 breaststroke in Paris.
“I’m happy with a silver,” Peaty said. “It’s sport, I got blindsided, but it wasn’t meant to be. This journey, 14 months, it’s not for a medal, I define myself by my heart, what it’s made me feel and produce. It’s got the best out of me.”
Peaty, the two-time defending Olympic champion in the 100 breast, was a favorite to win but tied for silver with Team USA’s Nic Fink in a time of 59.05, just .02 behind gold-medalist Nicolo Martinenghi. Had Peaty pulled off the win, he would have joined Michael Phelps as only the second man in history to win three straight Olympic golds in the same event.
“I’m not crying because I’ve come second. I’m crying because it took so much to get here.”
During a press conference later Sunday night, Peaty reflected more on the surprises both in his race and in the sport and not letting it define him.
“I’m not going to define my whole career, in terms of the ups and the downs, by a medal. I’m just so happy to be among these incredible athletes.”
You can watch the full clip from the press conference below.
Adam Peaty‘s Post-Race Interview
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Adam Peaty Tears Up In Emotional Post-Race Interview After 100 Breast Final
