World record-holding swimmer Adam Peaty was left in tears after being beaten to gold by the smallest of margins on a bittersweet day for Team GB at the Paris Games.
The 29-year-old had been seeking to join American legend Michael Phelps as only the second man to win three successive Olympic golds in the same discipline, but trailed Italy’s Nicolò Martinenghi by just 0.02 of a second in the men’s 100m breaststroke.
Peaty, who had considered retiring in recent years after what he has described as a breakdown, said: “I mean, it has been a very long way back, and look at the score there. I gave my absolute all there.
“It’s not about the end goal, it’s all about the process. It doesn’t matter what the scoreboard says, I’m already a winner. I’m not crying because I came second, I’m crying because of the journey.”
Day two of the Games was always likely to be difficult for the British team, but Kimberley Woods, 28, surpassed expectations to snatch a bronze in the women’s K1 canoe slalom final, while Andy Murray further delayed his retirement from tennis with a thrilling 2-6, 7-6 (5), 11-9 doubles comeback with Dan Evans.
The two men danced with delight at Roland Garros after pipping Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Taro Daniel in the last set, while Woods, who has spoken in the past of years of bullying, depression and self-harm, told of her joy.
She said: “I can’t believe how long my journey’s been. I’ve been paddling for 20 years now and finally have a medal around my neck. I’m hoping to be going for another 10, but we’ll see how my body handles up.
“That whole journey of where I’ve come from in the last 10 years has been incredible. I’m really proud of who I am today, being able to be open and speak about it and use my platform for good.”
There are greater expectations of what could be a magic Monday for Team GB, with two golds up for grabs in eventing, while Matt Richards and Duncan Scott will challenge in the men’s 200m freestyle and Tom Daly and Noah Williams have a strong shout in the synchronised 10m platform dive.
The second day of the Games also delivered thrilling athleticism via the spectacular return of US gymnast Simone Biles, on what she had described as her “redemption tour” after her withdrawal from several events in Tokyo due to mental health issues.
Biles, 27, finished her subdivision of women’s qualification as the top all-around qualifier, scoring 59.566, as an eclectic range of stars watched on, including Tom Cruise , Snoop Dogg, Ariana Grande and the Jonas Brothers.
Back in the Paris La Défense Arena, a pulsating 15,000-strong crowd had been brought to fever pitch by a Olympic record-breaking swim from France’s Leon Marchand that won him gold in the 400m individual medley.
Max Litchfield finished fourth for the third Games in a row despite breaking the British record with a time of 4 min 8.85 sec.
“I don’t really know what to say,” he said. “I’ve given my everything mentally and emotionally. It’s just not meant to be, again.”
Peaty had hoped to draw a line under a difficult few years during which he had described being on a “a self-destructive spiral” that saw him split from his partner and engage in binge drinking.
He insisted, however, that he was pleased with the silver medal he shared with the US swimmer Nic Fink, while hinting at retirement.
Peaty added: “I am so happy I can race the best in the world and come second. These are happy tears, because I said I gave my absolute best every day and I have.
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“This event has changed so much, as racing can. Now I’m almost an older man here. I can’t have relentless pursuit every day without sacrifice … As a man now, it is hard to compete with the younger ones.”
Peaty’s mother, Caroline, said she was “bursting with pride” for her son but that she believed he should now leave the sport.
She said: “I know what I want for him. Whether he wants to do that, I don’t know. I would like him to retire, I would like him to have some life outside swimming. I would like him to have more family time, you know? Do the things that normal people do. Enjoy a little bit more of life, like he is enjoying life now.”
Other disappointments on Sunday included Germany’s early elimination of Team GB’s women’s archers, a heavy defeat for the women’s rugby sevens at the hands of Australia, and a controversial defeat for Welsh boxer Rosie Eccles in the women’s 66kg division, which she said had left her “really shocked”.
There had been boos and jeers in the North Paris Arena as Eccles lost on a 3-2 split decision despite Poland’s Aneta Rygielska having a point deducted for holding. The Canadian judge had given the contest to Eccles by a four-point margin.
“A boxer knows when they have won a fight,” Eccles said ringside as she fought back the tears. “I knew I had won the fight, so I am really, really shocked. It feelsas if I am in a dream right now, but not a great one. For her to have a point taken off for spoiling, I am even more gutted. I don’t know what to say other than I’m really grateful to everyone that has helped get me here.”
She added: “I’ve given my whole life for a gold medal at the Olympics. Or at least an Olympic medal to take home. I really would have been proud of that and to share it with all the people who have got me here.”
Teenage archer Penny Healey, who was inspired to take up the sport after watching the Disney-Pixar film Brave, admitted that she was struggling to hold back tears after the British women’s archery team was knocked out of the Paris Games by Germany.
The 19-year-old admitted that she and her teammates, Megan Havers, 16, and Bryony Pitman, 27, had suffered from early nerves, but insisted that she would pick herself up for the individual event on Thursday.
