Former Olympic and world champion Adam Ramsay-Peaty says he is “confused” as the Briton’s poor run of form continued at the European Aquatics Championships.

After winning 16 out of 16 golds in the competition between 2014 and 2020, his unbeaten European run ended in Paris this week as he finished fifth in the 100m breaststroke and fourth in the mixed medley relay.

Now the 31-year-old has been unable to reach the 50m breaststroke semi-finals on Friday as he came eighth in his heat.

Ramsay-Peaty set the world record of 25.95 seconds in 2017 but made a poor start to Friday’s heat and came home in 27.34secs.

That meant he finished 20th overall, with the 16 fastest qualifying for the semi-finals later on Friday.

“These performances are not good enough at all,” he told Swimmingworldmagazine.com. “Even now I am like, it is so bad that I’m confused.

“It’s very frustrating, but I’m hoping we can figure it out.”

Ramsay-Peaty broke down in tears after winning 100m breaststroke bronze at last month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

After settling for another bronze in the 50m he said “nothing makes sense”, and although his time improved to 59.10secs in Paris, it was only good enough for fifth.

Ramsay-Peaty has been working on his dive with coach Lisa Bates since June and said the past few weeks have been “one of those lessons”.

“It is probably how I’m hitting the water,” he added. “I think I’ve just got to really change up what I’m doing, to be honest.”

Compatriot Filip Nowacki, who won 200m gold and 100m silver in Glasgow, finished 18th in the Paris heats so also missed out on the semi-finals.