Adam Peaty to compete at Commonwealth Games under new name | Other | Sport
Adam Peaty has taken a landmark decision ahead of the Commonwealth Games. The three-time Olympic champion will travel to Glasgow this summer with his sights firmly set on making sporting history.
However, weeks before the Games get underway, it has emerged that he will compete under his new name, Adam Ramsay-Peaty, following his marriage to Holly Peaty at the end of last year. Adam, 31, is the most experienced member of the Team England swimming squad, which comprises 42 athletes.
He is aiming to become the first British swimmer to claim gold medals at four successive Commonwealth Games, having made his debut 12 years ago. Ramsay-Peaty has previously secured four Commonwealth medals at the Gold Coast Games in 2018 and in Birmingham in 2022.
This summer, he is eligible to compete in both the 100-metre breaststroke and the 50-metre sprint discipline — a title he currently holds — at the Toll Cross International Swimming Centre.
Speaking about his selection, he said: “Being selected to represent your country is always an honour, and there is something special about a home Commonwealth Games. The event also marks a significant milestone in my international career, which began in Glasgow 12 years ago at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“I’m particularly excited to compete in Scotland this summer as I know everyone will come together to make it a brilliant occasion.”
His entry was formally registered under his new name, Adam Ramsay-Peaty. Ramsay-Peaty confessed he nearly walked away from the sport after failing to retain his Olympic crown in the 100m breaststroke in Paris. He characterised the phase as a “self-destructive spiral” while grappling with injury setbacks and mental health difficulties.
He married Holly Ramsay, daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, in December and devoted part of their honeymoon in Australia to training with former coach Mel Marshall.
His wedding, however, was overshadowed by a family rift after Adam dramatically withdrew invitations to his relatives for the ceremony, except for his sister, Bethany.
Adam’s parents, Caroline and Mark, alongside his brothers, James and Richard, remained in Staffordshire.
Relations within the family are said to have deteriorated sharply of late, after it emerged that the Olympic star has begun referring to TV chef Gordon as “dad.”
Adam’s aunt has lashed out at what she described as her nephew’s “toadying behaviour.” Taking to Instagram, she expressed her outrage, arguing that Adam addressing Gordon as dad was deeply disrespectful to his biological father, who “worked his hands raw and bleeding” to support his swimming career.
She wrote: “Oh Adam your poor dad. How could you? That man literally worked his hands bloody in order that you could pursue your dream… He worked long long days as a brickie – a hard laborious back breaking job. He did it without moan or complaint.”
