Adam Peaty shared that his son expressed his love with a heartfelt “I love you Daddy” following his unexpected defeat at the Paris Olympics.
The Team GB swimmer was unable to retain his 100 metres breaststroke title, narrowly losing to Italian underdog Nicolo Martinenghi by just 0.02 seconds.
After his race at La Defense Arena, a visibly emotional Peaty – who tied for silver with American Nic Fink – reunited with his three-year-old son George, his girlfriend Holly Ramsay, and his mother Caroline.
When reflecting on his interaction with George, Peaty said: “He usually asks, ‘Daddy, are you the fastest boy?’ to which I’d reply, ‘Not today.’ But instead, he simply said, ‘I love you Daddy,’ and that means everything to me.
“The moment I hugged George and saw his curly hair, it hit me, and I started crying. I feel as if I’ve been stung because my face feels swollen from all the tears I’ve shed.
Adam Peaty disclosed what his son George, age 3, told him following his Olympic misfortune in Paris.
Peaty was narrowly defeated by Italian Nicolo Martinenghi (C) by 0.02 seconds.
Peaty was later seen embracing partner Holly Ramsay (right) and son George in the stands, breaking down in tears after their emotional reunion.
The 29-year-old humorously noted his puffy face was the result of crying.
“Everything I do is for my son. These last 14 months have been about demonstrating that you can rise from the depths and still earn a medal,” Peaty remarked.
“For any parent or anyone who has experienced that love, it’s a different kind of love—one that swimming can no longer fulfill for me.
“My perspective on life has shifted dramatically, and my responsibilities have changed significantly because of him.”
Peaty displayed great sportsmanship in defeat, explaining that his tears were not solely due to missing out on a third consecutive gold medal but rather a reflection of the struggles he faced while overcoming depression last year.
“It’s not sad at all,” he stated. “For anyone involved in sports, when you continuously put everything on the line, there’s no such thing as a loss.”
“People are asking, ‘Are you happy with a silver medal?’ and I say, ‘Yes.’ This is my sixth Olympic medal, and the 14-year-old who began this journey would be amazed to think I’ve won six, with three of them being gold and still hold world records in two events; that’s remarkable.”
“Though this sport has broken me, it has also given me life and shape. Standing here, even with no definitive answer regarding that performance, I feel content. That’s what matters most.”
Despite narrowly missing a third consecutive gold in the 100m breaststroke, Peaty was filled with pride.
He became emotional during his post-race interview but insisted that his tears were those of happiness.
Peaty’s journey came after ‘three years of hell’ related to his struggles with depression and alcoholism stemming from his challenging breakup with his long-term girlfriend, the mother of his son, George.
Peaty finished just 0.02 seconds behind Nicolo Martinenghi while tying with Nic Fink for second place.
Peaty also mentioned that he woke up on Sunday with a sore throat but refused to attribute that to his slower times in the final compared to his earlier semi-final performance of 58.86 seconds.
“I experienced a setback this morning with my throat, but that’s no excuse,” he stated. “I wasn’t at my best, but that doesn’t matter because I’ve triumphed over competitors who weren’t at their peak before. It was just my turn to not be at 100 percent this time.
“You can dedicate eight years to training and still have an off day. Not being at your ideal performance can cost you by 0.02 seconds, and that’s simply how it goes.
“I’m not going to beat myself up over a 0.02-second difference because that’s not a healthy mindset for reflecting on my career. My worth is not determined by a medal.”
Peaty found himself in second place at the midpoint of the race, trailing his Chinese competitor Haiyang Qin, who had tested positive for a banned substance in 2021 but was cleared to compete. However, it was Martinenghi who surged ahead to defeat the Brit by a hair with a time of 59.03 seconds, while Peaty tied with world champion Fink, and Qin finished seventh.
“I felt a bit blindsided,” Peaty explained. “When I touched the wall, I genuinely believed I had it. But I’m delighted for Nicolo; he won fairly, and I’m pleased to pass the baton to him.
“I told Nicolo to savor this moment; there’s nothing like waking up as an Olympic champion the next day. We knew it was more about execution than times, and I’m thrilled for him.”
Peaty is scheduled to return to the Paris pool later this week to compete in the men’s and mixed 4x100m relays.
“Tomorrow is going to feel somewhat like a hangover with all the emotions, but I’m eager for the relays,” he added.
Despite narrowly missing gold, Peaty’s performance highlights a remarkable comeback just over a year after he took time away from the sport to focus on his mental health.
Having topped the podium in the 100m breaststroke in 2016 and 2020, along with a victory in the 4x100m mixed medley relay in Tokyo, Peaty maintained a commanding presence in the sport, remaining undefeated for eight years from 2014 to 2022.
However, the end of his long-term relationship in 2022 with Eirianedd Munro, who is George’s mother, along with a struggle with depression and alcoholism led Peaty to hit rock bottom.
In April 2023, Peaty withdrew from the British Swimming Championships and candidly discussed his challenges with mental health, later revealing he had endured “three years of hell” during a “self-destructive spiral.”
In 2022, Peaty separated from Eirianedd Munro (left) after three years together.
The three-time Olympic champion is now in a relationship with Holly Ramsay, the daughter of TV chef Gordon Ramsay.
Peaty and Ramsay shared a kiss after his silver medal as she showed her support for him.
She was accompanied in the stands at Paris La Defense Arena by Peaty’s three-year-old son, George.
Peaty, who also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, confessed he initially “didn’t want to see a pool again” after feeling “broken” by the sport, leading him to seek solace in drinking and partying.
This episode followed a mental health break he took after the Commonwealth Games, where his long-standing unbeaten streak in the pool came to an end.
With additional injuries, including a broken foot and a facial cut from a team altercation, it’s clear that Peaty’s last few years have been tumultuous.
Reflecting on his journey in an interview with BBC Sport earlier this month, the 29-year-old said: “Everything collapsed around me. I fell apart.
“I didn’t take a break after the 2021 Olympics; I jumped straight into work and then did a bit of dancing as a distraction until I broke my foot later that year.
“This led to a significant burnout in 2023.”
Peaty missed the 2022 World Championships due to his foot injury and rushed back for the Commonwealth Games, where he faced challenges.
“When I lost that 100m final, I spiraled downwards,” he admitted, “becoming aggressive and becoming someone I hardly recognized.
“When I went to Melbourne for the short course World Championships four months later, I lost control again when I didn’t achieve the results I wanted.”
Peaty faced these battles after previously bravely discussing his depression and alcohol struggles that developed after the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Recently, however, things have improved, with Peaty going public about his relationship with Holly Ramsay, daughter of celebrity chef Gordon, in June.
Holly, a model and influencer with over 300,000 Instagram followers, has also openly discussed her own struggles with depression.
Peaty has previously spoken about how he reached his lowest point and took a break from swimming.
Peaty went public with Holly last year, and they have frequently been seen together at events.
Holly is one of five children of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and works as a model and influencer.
Holly also hosts her podcast ’21 & over,’ where she discusses her sobriety journey, a choice she made to improve her mental health.
Peaty met Holly when her younger sister Tilly participated in the same series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2021.
Moreover, Peaty discussed his mental health challenges with Mail Sport last June, explaining how embracing Christianity has aided his recovery from a “destructive spiral.”
“I attend church every Sunday,” the swimmer shared. “This has significantly benefited me over the past few months.
“It’s about striving to be a better person—not just as an athlete fulfilling my potential but also as a better father for George. There are many profound reasons behind it, but it feels great to belong.”
Peaty also mentioned that a candid conversation with Olympic chaplain Ashley Null helped clarify his mental health struggles, while gardening and journaling have aided him.
“He told me, ‘An Olympic gold medal is the coldest thing you’ll ever wear.’ Initially, it feels warm from achieving your goal, but you realize the cost.
“Relationships suffer, family and friends are sidelined, and even your own children sometimes take a back seat.”
Peaty is motivated by his three-year-old son George, emphasizing he competes for him.
Peaty’s silver medal signifies an impressive recovery just over a year after his hiatus from swimming.
“As athletes, we often believe a gold medal will resolve all our issues; that’s the sole focus of our career. But the truth is, it fixes nothing. It can feel the coldest because it represents countless sacrifices. So, it’s vital to tackle those underlying issues.”
In closing, although Peaty fell short, his performance embodies a courageous and talented athlete’s journey, demonstrating the impressive resilience of the 29-year-old.
