Adam Ramsay-Peaty in tears at Commonwealth Games after family feud | Other | Sport
Swimming star Adam Ramsay-Peaty was in tears after securing a “disappointing” bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday. The England athlete came away from the Tollcross International Centre in Glasgow with a surprise third-placed finish in the 100m breaststroke – his specialist event.
Australian Sam Williamson secured gold in the men’s event with a time of 59.17 seconds while Filip Nowacki, 18, claimed Jersey’s first medal since 1990 with 59.34 seconds. It has been a difficult period for Ramsay-Peaty after he and his family dramatically fell out before he tied the knot with Holly Ramsay – the daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay – last December.
The three-time Olympic champion has also previously taken a break from swimming amid a wave of mental health issues in 2023. He was then narrowly pipped to Olympic gold in Paris two years ago as he looked to become the first person to win the men’s 100m breaststroke title for a third consecutive Games.
Hopes were high that he could get back to winning ways in Glasgow as he came into the final as the fastest qualifier. However, he was forced to settle for Bronze and gave an emotional interview with BBC Sport after the race.
He said: “It took a lot of courage to get back into the sport, so we should be happy with everything we get, but then that contradicts the athlete inside me and what I work for.
“I just think I deserve more. I know sport isn’t about what you deserve or even what you work for – it’s who gets it on the day.
“I just know I’m a better athlete than that. It’s very disappointing.”
Ramsay-Peaty has spoken about the difficult decisions that come with being an elite athlete. The Uttoxeter-born athlete has spent time away from his son and was forced to miss events at home.
The 31-year-old said: “They are not even sacrifices; they are choices.
“It’s like getting knocked out in the group stages in the World Cup for a very good team. You know you’re better and it hurts because you know you have to wait for a very long time for the next championships.
“This is probably – realistically – my last Commonwealth Games and I thought I’d trained for better. I could do better. I’ve been faster this season. That’s where the frustration is.”
Ramsay-Peaty is committed to competetive swimming for at least two more years after the 50m race was added to the programme for Los Angeles 2028. He is is due back in the pool for that event at the Commonwealth Games on Sunday.
