Peaty’s a class act in defeat

ADAM PEATY showed his human side in the pool by losing his first major long-course final in four years before doing the same out of it with his gracious acceptance of defeat by friend and rival Cameron van der Burgh.

You have to go back to Glasgow 2014 for Peaty’s last loss over 50m or 100m in a major breaststroke competition – and just like then, it was South African Van der Burgh who bested him, by four-hundredths of a second.

This has unquestionably been a difficult week for the Olympic champion, who has been off his times and encountered his first real roadblock since he burst onto the scene in Glasgow.

And yet after the initial frustrations at his inability to meet his own lofty standards in the 100m breaststroke – which he still won – he had greater perspective after silver in the 50m.

“As an athlete, obviously I’m disappointed. I’ve never had a 50m Commonwealth title. I’ve had the rest, but not this one,” said Peaty.

“As a person and as a character in the sport, away from the actual racing, I’m so happy for Cam.

“He’s put that work in, got that transition right where he is enjoying the sport and performing.

“Even though it’s a silver, I’m more happy with that than I was the gold the other day. I know where to improve now, where to get that performance from, and it gives me a reality check.”

Wales’ Alys Thomas picked up her first major international medal at the age of 27 with victory in the 200m butterfly, while James Guy took silver in the 100m fly.

England continued to dominate in the gymnastics as Nile Wilson scooped his third gold and fifth medal of the Games in the horizontal bar.

Npower is the Official Partner of Team England and is giving the athletes the power of support by recording a new version of Jerusalem. To listen to the track visit npower.com/teamengland

I now know where to improve