Adam Peaty vows to be ready for Tokyo Olympics - whenever they take place

English swimmer impresses in Edinburgh
Adam Peaty on his way to winning the men's 100m breaststroke at the Edinburgh International. Picture: Ian RutherfordAdam Peaty on his way to winning the men's 100m breaststroke at the Edinburgh International. Picture: Ian Rutherford
Adam Peaty on his way to winning the men's 100m breaststroke at the Edinburgh International. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Whenever Tokyo’s Olympics eventually take place, Adam Peaty will be supremely ready and willing to defend his crown. The 25-year-old still senses he has huge potential untapped, despite 11 world records that have propelled the breaststroke swimmer into uncharted terrain.

And as his sport surely prepares for its own indefinite shutdown, the Englishman provided a glimmer of what dominance he may seize when the eventual resumption comes during his penultimate outing at the Edinburgh International.

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In the 100 metres breaststroke final, Peaty raced over a second clear of James Wilby, repeating their 1-2 at last year’s World Championships in Gwangju. His time of 58.13 was the 15th fastest in history. He now owns the 18 quickest marks of all time.

A competitive hiatus, he promised, will not derail his focus. “For a lot of athletes at the moment, their biggest fear and worry is how they’re going to adapt their training to keep a peak performance for August or November or whatever it’s going to be,” he said. “You have to prove it, anytime, anywhere, any place. But I’ve got a lot of confidence. Which comes from a lot of training. The people I’ve surrounded myself with. My experience coming up here is the highest it’s ever been.”

With most of the prospective British Olympic team on site, the chatter was about when a seemingly inevitable decision to postpone next month’s all-important trials will come. “Obviously we have looked at lots of scenarios in case anything happens,” British Swimming head coach Bill Furniss confirmed. “The bottom line is we will have to select an Olympic team. If we can’t select at the trials, we’ll have to look at the options.”

Ross Murdoch will demand consideration despite the current duopoly of Peaty and Wilby. Third behind them, he sees satisfying progress – and hope.

“I’m still not close to going 58.1 in-season,” he said. “But my average across the board has been a lot faster than it has been. So I’m certainly giving myself a chance.”

Duncan Scott emerged victorious in a titanic duel with James Guy in the men’s 50m freestyle, with the European champion set to conclude over 100m on Sunday afternoon.

Freya Anderson, now an Olympic contender in the making, powered clear to win the women’s 200m freestyle title while Cassie Wild took the spoils in the 50m backstroke after surviving five gruelling knockout rounds of the skins format.