Long jump legend Greg Rutherford has called out swimmer Adam Peaty for making disparaging remarks about his Commonwealth Games bronze medal.
The 31-year-old - who has won six Olympic medals - returned to the sport after a 20-month layoff on Sunday in the 100m breaststroke. He earned a bronze medal for his efforts but discussed his family circumstances as a reason for his failure to capture gold.
Peaty angered a portion of fans and Rutherford by his claim that he discards all his non-Olympic medals. The swimmer added to the controversy he created by claiming he 'works a lot harder than what it says on the scoreboard'.
Peaty's comments spark backlash
He said: '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.' Speaking on talkSPORT, an annoyed Rutherford sounded off on Peaty's remarks alongside host Natalie Sawyer, which he labelled 'flippant'.
'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,' the 39-year-old said. 'It's flippant. They will really look up to him.
'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.'
Natalie Sawyer adds criticism
Natalie then added: 'I saw another interview where he said he deserved to win for all the work and effort he has put in, which I thought he not the right thing to say.' Adam wed Holly Ramsay in December but made headlines after his mother Caroline and father Mark Peaty were absent from the guest list.
He appeared to allude to the family dispute in his interview, 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.'
Peaty hits back at detractors
The swimming star also hit back at his detractors, declaring 'you can't hurt me' and urging them to 'do better.' He was cheered on by his wife Holly, who is expecting the couple's first child later this year.
Having received his medal, he tenderly kissed his new wife on the belly and remarked: '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.
'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.'
