Adam Peaty was pulled up by former world champion swimmer Mark Foster for being 'disrespectful' to the Commonwealth Games as he downplayed their importance in an interview.
Multiple Olympic champion Adam suffered an upset on Sunday evening when he was beaten in the final of the 100m breaststroke by England team mate James Wilby and only finished fourth. Adam, who was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing last year, has just returned to the sport after a serious foot injury and described the result as 'a bad day at the office.'
He was back in the pool on Monday evening, hoping to bounce back from the disappointment of 24 hours earlier in the semi finals of the 50m breaststroke. And he did. While the BBC commentary team said he still 'looked a bit tight,' Adam won the race and was then interviewed poolside by Sharron Davies.
After complaining about being held for too long on the blocks at the start of the race, Adam told Sharron it was a case of "job done, back to bed," adding: "it doesn't feel amazing, but it doesn't feel bad either."
Sharron accused Adam of being "a little bit blasé," with his reaction, telling him: "You really want it. It's the one you missed out on," but he replied: "It'll probably be my last attempt tomorrow, but I'm not bothered about it. The Commonwealths to me, in the grand scheme of things...it's about two years time (the Olympics). That's no disrespect. I'm still four weeks into my programme, I can't put that expectation on myself."
As the live broadcast cut back to BBC studio, host Clare Balding asked Mark Foster what he thought of Adam's comments, to which he said: "I think he's trying to say it doesn't matter. It does matter, it's the Commonwealth Games, it's a multi-sport event and I think when he was growing up, the Commonwealth Games would have been a big deal. But the fact that he's won lots of Worlds and Olympic Games, maybe he's trying to play it down to himself that it doesn't matter."
Mark added that it came across "a bit disrespectful," particularly as James Wilby was stood next to him when he made the comment and many viewers at home shared that opinion.
Mark's opinion was one echoed by many people on Twitter, as it quickly became a big talking point. Other people who watched the interview at home argued the BBC pundits should have come down harder on Adam but he did find some support online too, with one fan arguing: "Gotta love everyone slamming @adam_peaty when they don't know the pain of competing through an injury coupled with the heartbreak of losing your streak will make you say anything to brush it off and appear strong still. Every other interview I've ever seen he seems humble and kind."
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