Olympian Greg Rutherford has taken aim at Adam Peaty after the swimmer was accused of dismissing his bronze medal, the Commonwealth Games and the achievements of others. Peaty finished third in the 100m breaststroke, falling short after his 20-month hiatus.
Peaty's medal comments spark backlash
In an interview, Peaty said he throws away all his medals except his Olympic ones, adding: "Without sounding arrogant, it's just a piece of metal that's not really that important. I don't keep any medals, only the Olympic ones. I have the memories." He also said he "deserves more" than a bronze medal and works "a lot harder than what it says on the scoreboard."
Speaking on TalkSport, Rutherford and host Natalie Sawyer discussed Peaty's remarks. Rutherford said: "For some of the athletes there, who may only make a final for it to be their absolute world, there will be a level of thinking 'maybe it's not good enough' which I really don't like. It's flippant. They will really look up to him."
Rutherford urges caution
Rutherford added: "I've been there in the heat of the moment - you say things and wish you didn't. I just think you have to be care, and think of others. Nobody deserves anything in sport, everyone works equally as hard." Sawyer noted another interview where Peaty said he deserved to win for his work, which she felt was not appropriate.
Family drama and personal reflections
Peaty, who married Holly Ramsay in December, appeared to reference family tensions, saying: "It's hard because I know how hard I've worked. I know the s**t I've been through, which is no fault of my own. It does take a toll." He also told critics "you can't hurt me" and to "do better."
After collecting his medal, he kissed his wife on the belly and said: "She's always going to be proud of me. And as a father, it doesn't matter if you come home with gold. As long as you come home with a teddy. That's really what matters." He added: "But I'm never going to be afraid to show weakness, because it's so important for making stronger people, making stronger men, stronger fathers, husbands. And it's a realisation of how much I do work."
