Shoulders still heaving in recovery, Adam Peaty stood poolside talking to the BBC’s Sharron Davies. He had just lost his Olympic title by 0.02 seconds – and yet he was smiling. “I’m a very religious man,” said Peaty, sporting a tattoo of a cross on his torso. “I asked God just to show my heart, and this is my heart. I couldn’t have done more.”
It was unusual to hear an athlete famous for his “red mist” approach – The Man Who Swims Angry – manifesting the peaceful fruits of his newfound faith. But then there has been a rather heavenly air in the Aquatic Centre at this Paris Olympics.
