Peaty returns as GB qualify for men’s relay final

Adam Peaty returned to the Olympic pool for the first time since winning 100m breaststroke silver to help Great Britain qualify for Sunday’s men’s 4x100m medley relay final.

The British quartet of Peaty, Oliver Morgan, Joe Litchfield and Matt Richards registered three minutes 32.13 seconds to qualify fifth-fastest in Paris.

They finished second in their heat, behind the United States who finished in 3:31.62.

France, with home hero Leon Marchand swimming the second leg, were the fastest qualifiers in 3:31.36.

Peaty tested positive for Covid-19 a day after winning silver and did not take part in the mixed 4x100m medley relay heats on Friday.

The 29-year-old could be brought in for the mixed relay final, however, when it gets under way at 20:58 BST.

Great Britain are defending Olympic champions in the mixed event, with Peaty part of the team that won gold in Tokyo.

Richards, Tom Dean, Duncan Scott or James Guy, who won gold in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, could also come in for the final.

Britain also took silver in the men’s 4x100m medley relay in Tokyo three years ago. The final takes place on Sunday at 18:10 BST.

Earlier, Team Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen qualified fastest for Sunday’s 1500m men’s final.

Wiffen became the first athlete from Northern Ireland to win an Olympic gold medal in 36 years as he triumphed in the 800m freestyle earlier in the week.