Volunteer intervenes so that Adam Ramsay-Peaty race can go ahead after lengthy delay

Adam Ramsay-Peaty’s quest for Commonwealth Games gold got off to a unique start on Friday.

The three-time Olympic champion saw his 100m breaststroke heat in Glasgow delayed after a lane detached from the wall.

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After a lengthy wait, though, the race finally got underway at Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

However, it was only after a volunteer was forced to strip off and jump into the pool to retrieve the lane’s ‘fixing eye’.

The divider had sunk to the bottom of the pool and had to be reattached to the wall before the race could begin.

Fortunately for Ramsay-Peaty, it only delayed an impressive start to his Commonwealth Games campaign.

Fast start for Ramsay-Peaty

The 31-year-old went on to win heat six with a time of 59.46 seconds, the fastest of any swimmer during the heats.

He now advances to the semi-finals, which are scheduled to begin at 8.31pm on Friday night.

Ramsay-Peaty will be in the second semi-final as he aims to qualify for Saturday’s final.

Coverage of the action will be available on talkSPORT, with Natalie Sawyer presenting live commentary from 7pm.

The English swimmer addressed the delay following his heat, telling talkSPORT: “It’s not ideal.

“It’s like going to get your car an MOT and then having to wait another five hours, I guess, but for me, I’ve got the job done there.

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“See what we do in the semi-final. Obviously debrief, see what we need to do on the processes and take it from there.”

Commonwealth and Olympic hopes

This year’s Commonwealth Games sees Ramsay-Peaty competing with a new surname following his wedding last year.

The seven-time medallist married Holly Ramsay, the daughter of celebrity chef Gordon, in December.

Having nearly quit the sport twice, he is now planning to compete at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

The upcoming Games in two years’ time would be Ramsay-Peaty’s fourth Olympics.

Meanwhile, he hopes to reclaim his Commonwealth title in Glasgow this weekend.

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Ramsay-Peaty missed out on a third successive 100m breaststroke gold in Birmingham four years ago after finishing fourth in the final.

However, he did go on to claim victory in the 50m breaststroke later in the Games.

As well as appearing in the 100m breaststroke, Ramsay-Peaty will also defend that gold medal this month.

He could also feature in the 4x100m medley and mixed medley relay events.