Peaty targets LA 2028 gold as 50m breaststroke added to Olympic programm

LONDON: British swimming legend Adam Peaty has confirmed he will aim for Olympic glory once again in Los Angeles, as the 2028 Games will now feature six new 50-metre sprint events, including the 50m breaststroke.

Peaty, a three-time Olympic champion and world record holder in the 50m breaststroke, narrowly missed a third consecutive 100m gold in Paris by just 0.02 seconds, finishing second to Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi after a setback due to a COVID-19 infection. But the sprint-focused addition to LA’s programme has reignited his Olympic ambitions.

“50m sprint events have just been added to @la28games which confirms my attempt to be at my fourth Olympic Games,” the 30-year-old wrote on social media. “This is the best result for our incredible sport and will allow more people to be part of it and stay in it much longer. I’ve got a good feeling about these next three years.”

Peaty, who will be 33 when the LA Games take place, is optimistic given the lighter training demands of the 50m compared to the 100m and 200m distances. The inclusion of the 50m races in breaststroke, butterfly, and backstroke will boost the total number of Olympic swimming events from 35 in Paris to 41 in Los Angeles.

The move is set to benefit seasoned athletes like Peaty, offering them a realistic shot at extending their Olympic careers into a fourth Games.(Reuters)