Adam Peaty reaches semi-final of 100m breaststroke

Adam Peaty breezed into the semi-finals of the men’s 100 metres breaststroke as he got his bid for a historic third consecutive Olympic title under way.

The Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 champion, seeking to become just the second male swimmer after Michael Phelps to win Olympic gold at three successive Games, finished first in the fourth of five heats.

His time of 59.18 seconds was the second quickest time, only behind Dutch swimmer Caspar Corbeau, while James Wilby is also into the semis later on Saturday, finishing sixth overall in a time of 59.4 secs.

After the race, Peaty said: ‘There weren’t too many nerves but I think that comes down to experience. I’ve been in this position a lot of times and the heats are the heats. The playing field changes by the semi-finals and by the final as well.

‘The whole field was a bit slow in the sense that when I saw the scores come in, I didn’t really have to push anything too far, I didn’t have to prove anything.

Adam Peaty breezed into the semi-finals of the men’s 100 metres breaststroke

The Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 champion finished first in the fourth of five heats

‘We’ll see what we get tonight. The field is a little bit clustered and I’ll have to make sure I’m on my A-game just to make sure we get through to that final in a good lane.’

Peaty, who was cheered on by his young son George, added: ‘If anything, (I feel) too relaxed, in the sense that it doesn’t feel like we’re here but getting that swim done starts to wake up the mind.

‘I think that’s just experience where I know I don’t have to spend the energy here. It’s just business, business and business again, that’s purely it.’

Peaty, who also won gold in the relay at Tokyo 2020, saw his eight-year unbeaten run ended at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, having recently come back from an injury. 

The Brit has since opened up on the ‘self-destructive spiral’ that followed and saw him take a break from the pool.

However, he has bounced back and is now ready for another Olympic campaign which began today.

And he was reduced to tears as the BBC showed him some heartfelt words of support from those closest to him. 

‘It’s not gonna make me cry is it,’ Peaty said as he looked towards the monitor with the words ‘dear Adam’ appearing on screen.

Adam Peaty broke down in tears as he was shown messages of support from loved ones 

Peaty broke down as his mother expressed her pride in him ahead of the Paris Games

First up was his mother Caroline, who said: ‘Adam, I’d just like to tell you how proud I am of you. I’ve loved every minute of watching you grow and develop.

‘We love you and we just want what makes you happy,’ she continued.

‘Adam was the youngest of four. Very quiet, sometimes a little bit temperamental and very very competitive even from a young age. He used to sling the board games if he didn’t win. If he made a mistake everything would go up in the air. we still have a augh about it.’

Coach Mel Marshall was in tears herself as she delivered her message.

‘It’s been hard hasn’t it, it’s been really good, it’s been amazing. But there’s been times when it’s just been really difficult and the only people in the world who knew what it’s been like has been me and you.

‘I hope you’ve felt protected, I hope you’ve felt supported and I hope you’ve felt like you’ve had a wing woman.’

‘Mel bought me my first car to get to training, she’s my best friend but also my second mum but also my coach,’ Peaty said in response.