NANTERRE, France – Nicolo Martinenghi won gold in the 100-meter breaststroke on Sunday at the Paris Olympics, thrilling Italian fans and canceling out several of the race’s biggest storylines.
Martinenghi was the bronze medalist in this event at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and won the world championships earlier this year in Doha.
But he was not the expected winner.
That would be Adam Peaty of Great Britain – the two-time Olympic champion in the event in Lane 4. Another potential gold medalist would be China’s Qin Haiyang in Lane 5, who swept the 50, 100 and 200 breaststrokes last year at the world championships.
Qin is the world record holder in the 200 meters and Peaty holds the 100 mark.
Martinenghi won on Lane 7 in 59.03 seconds, just ahead of Peaty and American Nico Fink, which tied for silver at 59.05. Qin finished seventh with 59.50.
“I was on my favorite track, in seven,” Martinenghi said. “No one saw me. I was in the shadows. I love racing like this and this was my favorite track. I have a chain with the number 7 on it. When I was younger, I trained on this track.
Martinenghi called the atmosphere at La Defense Arena “insane”, created by The victory of Frenchman Leon Marchand previously in the 400 meter individual medley.
“Being an Olympic champion today, alongside Adam – one of my idols when I grew up. Amazing,” he said.
Peaty stayed out of competitive swimming for about a year after winning in Tokyo, focusing on his mental health and what he called his “personal demons.”
His return was good enough even if it wasn’t gold.
“I’m not sad at all,” Peaty said. “I think anyone who plays sports is willing to put themselves at risk every time, so there is no such thing as a loss.”
He said that the journey towards mental health is more important than the Olympic result.
“I’m not defining myself – this whole journey back, 14 months – by a medal,” he added. “I define myself, you know, by my heart and what it made me feel, what it made me produce.”
Qin is one of 11 Chinese swimmers in Paris who tested positive for a banned heart medication before the Tokyo Games, but were not sanctioned.
Peaty has been outspoken about doping and on Saturday called for a “fair game” ahead of Sunday’s final. Qin also responded, suggesting baseless allegations against China and complaining about intensified testing of Chinese swimmers.
“I’m so happy the right man won,” Peaty said,
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