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Swimming fans left fuming over 'disgusting' act at Commonwealth Games

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·5-min read
Adam Peaty, pictured here after missing out on a medal as James Wilby won gold at the Commonwealth Games..
Adam Peaty missed out on a medal as James Wilby won gold in the 100m breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games. Image: Getty

The swimming world has reacted with pure disbelief after Adam Peaty missed out on a medal in the 100m breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games on Sunday.

The world record holder was first at the turn but faded badly in the second 50m, as England teammate James Wilby stormed to victory in 59.25sec.

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The crowd at the Sandwell Aquatic Centre, who roared for Peaty when he made his way to the starting blocks, was left stunned by the defeat for the three-time Olympic champion - who finished fourth.

It marked the first time since 2015 that Peaty hadn't won gold in the event, with the English star failing to medal at all.

β€œIt is shocking,” Aussie legend Ian Thorpe said in commentary for Channel 7.

Another commentator said β€œI cannot believe this”, while Basil Zempilas added: β€œOh my goodness … unbelievable that Peaty, who led at the halfway (mark), has not finished in the top three.”

Peaty, who has been completely dominant in his pet event in recent years, was forced to miss the world championships in Budapest in June due to a foot injury.

"When it comes down to the race sometimes it doesn't go to plan," he said afterwards.

"I was hurting from the 50m but you know that's a lack of training, lack of racing.

"I can't overthink it. I'm a fighter and sometimes you have got to have these moments to keep fighting."

James Wilby, pictured here celebrating as Adam Peaty looks on dejected.
James Wilby celebrates as Adam Peaty looks on dejected. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) (Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)

The 27-year-old said the Paris Olympics in 2024 were still firmly on his radar.

"The next two years are going to be huge - how we attack that now, I don't know," he said.

"Because I haven't done two winter blocks in a long time so it's back to the drawing board and back to training.

β€œI don’t know what went wrong. With 25m to go I had nothing in the tank. Maybe that’s overexposure on the foot. Sometimes you just have a bad race, I can’t pinpoint where I went wrong.

β€œIt was a slow final, I can’t remember the last time I went that slow. It just didn’t go right. Of course I’m disappointed, but that’s what makes you go faster next time.

β€œI’ve kind of lost that spark, whether it’s with my foot, but I’ll be looking to find that over the next months and into the next two years.”

Zac Stubblety-Cook, James Wilby and Sam Williamson, pictured here with their medals at the Commonwealth Games.
Zac Stubblety-Cook, James Wilby and Sam Williamson celebrate with their medals at the Commonwealth Games. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (Robert Cianflone via Getty Images)

Fans up in arms after gold medallist snubbed for interview

Zac Stubblety-Cook took silver in the race, while fellow Australian Sam Williamson won bronze.

And despite Wilby's astonishing victory, the swimming world was only talking about Peaty's loss.

Some fans were left fuming after the BBC chose to interview Peaty first-thing after the race instead of Wilby.

"I’m sorry but them analysis of this 100m breaststroke is absolutely shocking," journalist Steph Brawn tweeted.

"You’d think an English guy hadn’t won the race, feel really sorry for James Wilby. It’s all about Adam Peaty losing, course it is."

Others described the farcical scenes as 'disgusting' and 'disrespectful'.

with agencies

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