Soul-searching leaves Peaty with unanswered questions

Shock loss still being felt but gold tonight would offer some respite

- Matt Majendie

QUESTIONS have been whirling around in Adam Peaty's head since the seismic shock not just of defeat in the 100metres breaststroke but finishing outside the medals.

Tossing and turning in bed two nights ago and sleeping for just two hours, thoughts circulated through his mind. He asked himself: "You think 'do I want to be here? Do I love the sport as much as I did?"

The answer was simply "I don't know" and these are questions he needs to address in the coming weeks.

Laura Kenny endured a similar mindset at Lee Valley VeloPark in London after finishing 13th in the points race on Sunday, telling her husband Jason she felt the scratch race might be the final contest of her illustrious career.

But a pre-race pep talk to herself in the toilet beforehand and a reassurance that she could do it resulted in her coming out of the track meet with gold yesterday.

Quite how Peaty talks to himself in the bowels of Sandwell Aquatics Centre tonight remains to be seen but there have been a mix of thoughts and emotions since his surprise defeat by James Wilby, his first loss over the distance in eight years.