Nathan star and Churchie old Boy Zac Stubblety-Cook secured a silver medal while battling COVID in a thrilling Olympic men’s 200m breaststroke final, narrowly missing out on defending his Olympic title.
Read: Nathan Star Zac Stubblety-Cook Aims for Second Olympic Triumph at Paris 2024
French swimming sensation Leon Marchand took the gold, completing a remarkable double victory. Marchand dominated the race, finishing in 2:05.85, nearly a second ahead of Stubblety-Cook’s 2:06.79. The Frenchman’s performance comes just two hours after his triumph in the 200-metre butterfly.
Zac Stubblety-Cook battles the virus
The celebration of Stubblety-Cook’s silver medal is tempered by the revelation of a growing COVID cluster within the Australian Olympic team. Stubblety-Cook disclosed that he competed while battling a coronavirus infection, having completed a five-day course of antivirals on the day of the race.
This news follows the withdrawal of fellow Dolphin Lani Pallister from the 1500m frees due to coronavirus concerns.
The impact of the virus extends beyond the Australian team, with other nations, including Great Britain, reporting cases among their swimmers.
Read: QSAC in Nathan Set to Become Smallest Olympic Stadium in a Century
Stubblety-Cook’s resilience in the face of adversity and his sportsmanship shine through as he commends his rival, Marchand, for his historic performance.
Published 01-August-2024