Two-time Olympic gold medalist Rebecca Adlington said she was “surprised even herself” to win a medal so soon after her return, given that Peaty is focused on getting back to her best shape for the Olympics. I believe it is.
“Adam is in the perfect place,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
“He can't be completely at his best because he doesn't want to peak now, he wants to peak in the summer. He wants to be on the Olympic team.
“So I think he's in the perfect position to accomplish that. And I actually think he surprised himself by getting back on the podium.”
Adlington believes the British team has enough quality to take the pressure off Peaty and secure “one of the few medals” in Paris.
“Obviously Adam knows he's the poster child for this sport,” she added. “There are other great medalists, people like Matt Richards, Tom Dean and Duncan Scott, but Adam is a household name.
“I actually think people are just following him because they want to see him succeed, not to scrutinize him, but just because they want to see him succeed.
“The other athletes actually deserve more credit than they're getting because they're phenomenal swimmers in their own right and what they've achieved in this sport is absolutely phenomenal.
“If it wasn't for Adam Peaty, they would have been the marquee players. We have a great team. I think we're in great shape.”