Coach hails character and performance of GB team’s talisman

British Swimming head coach Bill Furniss reflected on a successful championships, paying particular tribute to team talisman Adam Peaty.

Furniss, who coached two-time Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington, said: “He deserves all the plaudits he gets and the success he gets.

“He’s a gentleman, he’s humble. At the same time he’s a lion, he’s a beast. It’s that combination.

“I’ve never seen anybody as focused, as dedicated. Just every single day. It’s just unbelievable.

“His attitude is stunning. Everybody has a bad day at the office, but not Adam. It is tremendous.”

On the medal haul, all won by men, Furniss pointed to the absence through injury of Jazz Carlin and the lengthy postRio break which contributed to Siobhan O’Connor underperforming in Budapest.

The pair won three Olympic medals between them last August.

“Seven medals, second on the medal table – I don’t think we’ve ever done that before,” Furniss added.

“Does it mean we’re the second best nation in the world? I don’t think so.

“What it means is it’s probably a really good launchpad for the next three years (and the Tokyo Olympics).”

He’s a gentleman, he’s humble. At the same time he’s a lion, he’s a beast. BILL FURNISS