Adam Peaty reveals what son told him after his shock Olympic gold medal defeat with incredibly close finish

Adam Peaty has revealed what his son George told him after narrowly missing out on a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Team GB athlete, 29, is arguably the most talented swimmer we have and was hoping to join Michael Phelps as the only male swimmer to ever win Olympic gold in the same event at three successive games in Paris.

Peaty was favourite to win after being known as the first British swimmer ever to retain an Olympic title. (PA)

However, it wasn't meant to be as Peaty had to settle for silver in the men’s 100 metres breaststroke final on Sunday (28 July). It was his first individual Olympic loss.

Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi took home the gold after the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 champion swimmer lost by 0.02 seconds.

In his post match, an emotional Peaty opened about his mental health struggles and having to take a break from competing last year with burnout.

“It’s not sad at all,” he said. “These are happy tears.

“If you’re willing to put yourself on the line every single time, I think there’s no such thing as a loss.

“I’m so happy the right man won.

Peaty's son consoled him at the end of the race. (PA)

“I’m not defining myself by a medal.

“I define myself by my heart and what it has made me feel and produce. It’s got the best out of me.

“It’s broken me, this sport, but it’s also given me life, it’s given me everything I am and I am happy to stand here with not really any answers to what that performance is but a happy heart and that is all that matters.”

Meanwhile, it was Peaty's son George - who he had with his ex girlfriend Eirianedd Munro - who consoled him after the race.

“He normally goes ‘Daddy, are you the fastest boy?’ and I’d have said ‘Not today’ but he just said ‘I love you, daddy’ and that’s all I care about,” Peaty added.

Peaty said 'there’s no such thing as a loss'. (PA)

“I was not feeling 100 per cent but I don’t really care.

“I’ve raced people who weren’t 100 per cent, I’ve won against people who weren’t 100 per cent and today was my turn.

“I really feel this moment was meant to be.”

Peaty didn't want to give any excuses but admitted to having a sore throat on Sunday morning.

“I’ve had a bit of a curveball with my throat but, please, it’s no excuse at all,” he said. “But it’s a curveball I’ve had to respond to.

“You can train eight years for something and not feel 100 per cent on the day and (not being) 100 per cent costs you 0.02 seconds, that’s just the way it is.”