Adam Peaty was absent from Team GB’s 4x100m mixed medley relay team for their final on Sunday evening despite returning to the pool earlier in the day.
The 29-year-old was part of Team GB’s quarter that won the inaugural event in Tokyo, but missed Friday’s heats after testing positive for Covid earlier this week.
Peaty clinched silver in the men’s 100m breaststroke final last Sunday, but has been recovering from his positive Covid test ever since.
Despite missing Friday’s heats, there was still a chance that Peaty would be selected for the final on Saturday night.
Adam Peaty won silver in the men’s 100m breaststroke last week
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And his participation in the men’s 4x100m medley relay preliminaries indicated that he was ready to compete.
However, Team GB decided against naming Peaty in their quartet for Saturday’s final.
James Wilby will take Peaty’s place for the breaststroke alongside Duncan Scott, Kathleen Dawson and Anna Hopkin.
Peaty spoke to the press after he featured in the men’s 4x100m medley relay preliminaries earlier in the day on Saturday.
He was delighted at being able to get back in the pool, but still isn’t sure if he will feel 100 per cent for the final on Sunday.
He said: “It’s been a rough, rough week but hopefully we’ll find our way through the next 36 hours.
“[It’s] probably [been] the worst week of my life in terms of how my body is – and that is no exaggeration.
“Everything’s come at once and since Covid, I’ve been waking up every day with a different thing.
Adam Peaty was back in the pool for the 4x100m medley relay
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“The medical team has been brilliant and it’s just a victory getting on that starting block.
“Now hopefully, that will give my body a nice, little push for tomorrow.”
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Adam Peaty was not selected for the mixed 4x100m relay final
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He added: “I’m glad I’ve got a heat swim. It’s my first hard stuff since the final on Sunday last week.
“If I’m not well, I’m not well. I’ve been brought up in the system by [coach] Mel [Marshall] that if you’re not well, you still go.
“I’ve only got two days left. I’m not going to be 100 per cent, I know that, but I’ll give my best effort and that will hopefully give me a nice time.”