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Adam Peaty’s Absence in Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay Heats

Adam Peaty will not participate in the mixed 4x100m medley relay heats scheduled for Friday morning as Team Great Britain seeks to defend their Olympic title.

The 29-year-old swimmer tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, just a day after securing an Olympic silver medal in the 100m breaststroke event.

Although Peaty will miss the heats, there is still a possibility for him to swim in the final scheduled for Saturday evening, contingent upon Team GB qualifying for that stage.

Additionally, if Peaty’s health permits and the coaching staff decides to include him, he could also participate in the men’s 4x100m medley relay event starting on Saturday.

Earlier this year, during the World Championships, Peaty did not compete in the heats when Britain clinched a bronze medal in the mixed event, but he was included for the final. Conversely, in the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, he swam in the heats leading to the team’s gold medal victory.

In recent training sessions, Peaty has been in the pool, which raises hopes regarding his fitness to compete in upcoming events.

In Peaty’s absence, James Wilby, who finished 11th in the 100m breaststroke semi-finals, will take on the breaststroke leg of the relay. He will be joined by Kathleen Dawson, Joe Litchfield, and Anna Hopkin to complete the quartet.

The heats are set to begin at 11:03 BST, with Team GB competing in the second heat. The fastest eight teams from the two heats will advance to the final.

If Team GB qualifies for the final, one of their top freestylers—such as Matt Richards, Tom Dean, Duncan Scott, or James Guy, who previously secured gold in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay—may replace Litchfield in the final lineup.

Source
www.bbc.com