In a surprising turn of events, British Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty has tested positive for COVID-19 at the Paris Olympics. The news comes less than 24 hours after Peaty narrowly missed out on winning the men's 100-metre breaststroke final by a mere 0.02 seconds.

Peaty, who was aiming to match Michael Phelps' record of winning the same swim race at three consecutive Olympics, woke up on Sunday morning with a sore throat. Despite this setback, he bravely competed in the final, ultimately finishing in second place, sharing the silver medal with Team USA's Nic Fink.

The 29-year-old athlete does not have to isolate from other athletes and is not required to test negative before competing again. However, as a precaution, Peaty will avoid making contact with others for the next few days. Team GB and Peaty remain hopeful that he will be able to compete in the relays later in the swimming program.

"As in any case of illness, the situation is being managed appropriately, with all usual precautions being taken to keep the wider delegation healthy," Team GB stated in a press release.

Despite the setback, Peaty maintained a positive attitude, emphasizing that he would not use any potential illness as an excuse for his performance. Speaking after Sunday's race, Peaty expressed his delight for the Italian swimmer Nicolò Martinenghi, who claimed the gold medal.

Peaty took to Instagram on Monday to express his gratitude towards his partner and coach and described his second-place finish as a "blessing." He acknowledged the challenges he had faced over the past 14 months and expressed pride in the athlete he had become. The Olympic silver medal marked Peaty's sixth Olympic medal, including three relay medals from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

The 29-year-old swimmer returned to racing in February after taking a mental health break, and he considers the silver medal a personal victory. "In my heart, I've won, and these are happy tears," Peaty said immediately after the race, emphasizing the importance of giving his absolute best in every training session.

As the news of Peaty's positive COVID-19 test spreads, it serves as a reminder that even elite athletes are not immune to the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic. The focus now shifts to ensuring the health and safety of all athletes and maintaining the smooth operation of the Paris Olympics.