The Olympic champion had slept just two hours on Sunday after finishing fourth behind England team-mate James Wilby – his first defeat in the 100m since 2014. But he returned to win his heat on Monday morning and after his semi-final in the evening in 27.03sec, beating Wilby by 0.62sec. After that, his only complaint seemed to be about the starter. “We were held back by three seconds before the 100m and it’s the same for the 50m,” he said. “Either they have to change that, or change the starter.” But when asked if an injured Peaty was dangerous, he nodded. “Oh yes, sure,” he replied. “Back a lion into a corner and they will bite. I’m backed into a corner now. “Maybe it’s God’s will that we get to this point to have this real low, because it’s really low. Obviously, it was a disastrous night for me. “I just couldn’t switch off because when you’re in defense mode, you ask yourself, ‘What went wrong?’ That’s who I am. I’m always looking to see how I can get better. I don’t come here for quarter, silver or bronze. That’s why I’m not happy.” The Commonwealth Games 50m breaststroke title is the only event Peaty has never won. But the 27-year-old was reminded that he will not have it all his own way by Australia’s Sam Williamson, who qualified fastest overall by winning the second semi-final in 27.01 seconds. “It will probably be the last attempt,” Peaty said. “But it doesn’t bother me. In the grand scheme of things this is the Olympics in two years. I’m four weeks into my program.” Peaty also admitted he was undercooked in his first contest since breaking his leg in May, but said his fighting instincts had kept him wanting to keep coming back. “I didn’t really have a winter block where I reset,” he said. “It’s almost like getting into a car with no destination. “I’ve only been in the water for four weeks, I expect too much of myself. But my coach Mel [Marshall] he asked me this morning if I wanted to come back. And I said, “I’m a fucking fighter.” Peaty said his teammate James Guy also helped make his loss visible. “He told me, ‘Man, don’t let swimming define you.’ I still won every championship. He broke all the world records. This was not taken away from me. I just had a bad day at the office.” However, Peaty admitted that the spark has not been there for the past two years and he would have to do some soul-searching ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. “It’s just as important in an athlete’s career to have these moments. Are you thinking, do I want to be here? Do I love the sport as much as I loved it? I do not know. I have to answer these questions.” Elsewhere in the pool on Monday, Australia’s Kyle Chambers won the big clash of the day as he won gold in the men’s 100m freestyle in 47.51 seconds – beating England’s Tom Dean and Scotland’s Duncan Scott to silver and bronze respectively . Afterwards, Chambers, who has been at war with the Australian media over reports of his split from fellow swimmer Emma McKeown, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, put his finger to his lips before making a loud splash in the pool. McKeown returned to the pool shortly afterwards, winning her 12th Commonwealth gold and 17th medal overall in the 50m butterfly. She is already the most successful athlete in the history of the Games. And with the 100m freestyle final on Tuesday it’s clear it’s not over yet.
