Nicolo Martinenghi won gold in the 100m breaststroke at the Paris Olympics, thrilling Italian fans and canceling several of the main storylines going into the race.
Martinenghi was the bronze medallist in this event in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and won at the world championships earlier this year in Doha. But he was not the expected winner.
That was to be Great Britain’s Adam Peaty — the two-time defending Olympic champion in the event in Lane 4. Another potential gold medallist was thought to be China’s Qin Haiyang in Lane 5, who swept the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke last year in the world championships.
Qin is the world record holder in the 200, and Peaty holds the 100 mark.
Martinenghi won from Lane 7 in 59.03 seconds, just ahead of Peaty and American Nic Fink, who tied for silver at 59.05. Qin finished in seventh in 59.50.
Martinenghi called the atmosphere at the La Defense Arena “insane,” created by Frenchman Leon Marchand’s runaway victory earlier in the 400m individual medley.
“To become Olympic champion today (Sunday), next to Adam — one of my idols when I grew up. Amazing,” he said.
Peaty sat out of competitive swimming for about a year after winning in Tokyo, focusing on his mental health and what he has called his “personal demons.”
His return was good enough, even if it wasn’t gold.
“I’m not sad at all,” Peaty said. “I think anyone that’s done sport — you’re willing to put yourself on the line every single time, so there’s no such thing as a loss.”
He referenced his mental health journey as more important that the Olympic result.
Covid positive
Peaty has tested positive for Covid, Team GB said on Monday, a day after the race.
The Briton had said he woke up unwell on the day of the race, although he declined to use that as an excuse. Peaty also struggled to speak after the race with a hoarse throat.
“In the hours after the final, his symptoms became worse and he was tested for Covid early on Monday morning. He tested positive at that point,” Team GB said in a statement.
“He is hopeful to be back in competition for the relay events later in the swimming programme.”
Huske prevails
Torri Huske touched the wall and turned to teammate Gretchen Walsh knowing they each had won an Olympic medal. Both Americans quickly spun their heads around to see the scoreboard to find out who had captured gold.
Huske had her elusive Olympic title, by just .04 seconds over Walsh in the women’s 100m butterfly on Sunday night. She edged the world-record holder swimming to her right, coming from behind in a fantastic finish.