Britains Adam Peaty began his bid to win a third straight Olympic gold in the 100m breaststroke with the second fastest time in Saturdays heats and said he was feeling very differently from three years ago in Tokyo.
Peatys victory in Japan, which followed his 2016 triumph in Rio, leaves him with the chance of equalling American great Michael Phelps as the only male swimmers to have won the same event at three successive Olympics.
That achievement would be all the more impressive given the mental health issues the 29-year-old has battled.
Speaking to reporters after his heat, Peaty struck a relaxed and content tone as he looked ahead to his semi-final later on Saturday and then Sundays final.
I saw the scores come in, I was like I dont really have to push anything too far, I dont have to prove anything, but well see what we get tonight. We cant win the battle now, we have to win it tomorrow, he said.
