Clare Balding has lauded Team GB swimmer Adam Peaty for proudly displaying his Olympic silver medal, contrasting his actions with those of England's Euro 2024 finalists who discarded their runners-up medals.
Peaty, the reigning Olympic champion, finished a heartbreaking 0.02 seconds behind Italy's Nicolo Martinenghi in the 100m breaststroke final. Despite the agonizingly close defeat, Peaty retained his silver medal, a gesture that Balding praised as a reflection of true sportsmanship.
In contrast, Balding expressed her disappointment with England's football team, highlighting the actions of several players, including Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, and Kyle Walker, who promptly removed their runners-up medals after the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain. Gareth Southgate, England's then-manager, was also seen discarding his medal.
Balding, speaking on BBC Sport, criticised the team's hasty gesture, stating, "I love this [Peaty's actions] because, honestly, after the final of the Euros when they all take their medals off, I just thought 'You got to the final and performed really well, don't say this means nothing'."
She added, "I love the fact that Adam and Nick Fink are clearly incredibly proud of those silver medals and will hold them up and say 'Yes, I won this'."
Former world champion swimmer Mark Foster echoed Balding's sentiment, adding, "100 per cent. Why do you take your medal off? Do you think you're a loser all of a sudden because you came second in a tournament? No, you're second in the world or second in Europe. You should be proud of it. Yes, absolutely. Probably an emotional knee-jerk reaction. One does it and they all go 'Eurgh yeah, we don't like that'."
Peaty, visibly emotional after the race, explained that his tears were "happy tears", a testament to the arduous journey he undertook to reach the Olympic podium. He said, "I am not crying because I have come second. I am crying because of how much it took to get here. In my heart I have won. These are happy tears."
Balding's comments highlight a growing debate surrounding the significance of runners-up medals and the importance of sportsmanship in the face of defeat. Peaty's unwavering pride in his achievement serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of disappointment, there is value in acknowledging and celebrating the effort and dedication required to reach the highest level of competition.
