Adam Peaty qualifies fastest for 100m breaststroke final
Staffordshire swimming sensation Adam Peaty fired a warning to his rivals by qualifying fastest for Sunday’s 100 metre breaststroke final at Paris 2024.
The 29-year-old, seeking to become only the second male swimmer to ever win three Olympic titles in the same event, won the first semi-final in a time of 58.86.
His biggest rival, China’s Qin Haiyang, won the second semi-final but in a slower time than the GB ace.
Peaty arrived at the Games something of an unknown quantity having overcome a difficult period outside the pool.
But his results in Saturday’s opening heat and then semi-final suggested he will again be the man to beat on Sunday night.
Peaty’s three-year-old son George was in La Defense Arena to see his dad in action.
Speaking to the BBC after winning his semi-final, Peaty said: "Don't even talk about my son, it makes me cry!
“He goes: 'Daddy, are you the fastest boy?' That's what he says, even if I haven't seen him for two weeks, that is all he cares about.
“I guess I just want to be the 'fastest boy' tomorrow, keep it simple!"
Asked what his plan would be, in preparation for the final, he added: "Recovering. There's a lot to work on still, technically. It is really tough on that back end.
“I know this field has been a bit slower, all respect due. This is the way the Olympics work. It ain't about a time here, it is about the races."”