Adam Peaty would join American great Michael Phelps as the only male swimmer to win gold in the same event at three Olympics if he triumphs in the 100m breaststroke in Paris this summer; the 29-year-old took a break from competition last year due to mental health reasons
Last update: 06/24/12 at 11:58 p.m.
Adam Peaty hopes to win 100m breaststroke gold for third consecutive Olympics in Paris this summer
Olympic breaststroke champion Adam Peaty insists he will head to Paris 2024 this summer at peace with himself and without pressure.
The 29-year-old Briton is aiming for a third consecutive 100m gold medal, with “three peat” titles in his sights, after taking time out of competition for mental health reasons.
“I guess (I’m) more relaxed in my approach,” Peaty said.
“I know myself a little better and, I guess, when I look in the mirror, I’m very peaceful.
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“As soon as you stop running away from yourself, I think that’s when you start living your true self and your true life.
“And in terms of sports, I think that’s where you’re the most dangerous to everyone because you’re so at peace.
“I’m not afraid of losing, I’m not afraid of winning. How can you beat an athlete like that?”
Peaty, who will join American great Michael Phelps as the only male swimmer to win gold in the same event at three Games, considers himself an underdog ahead of Paris.
“For me, before these Games and especially over the last 12 months, I enjoyed being the person with the bow and arrows and not the one being shot at,” he said.
“There’s no real pressure on me. Yes, I’m an Olympic champion and people are aiming for that crown but I haven’t really won anything since 2022 or 2021.
“I’m OK with that because I’ve been the underdog and I like being an underdog, I like fighting my way through the rounds.”
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As well as his three Olympic gold medals – he also won the 4x100m mixed medley in Tokyo three years ago – Peaty is an eight-time world champion and 16-time European champion, while he beat 14 times world records.
But after leaving the pool last year to deal with mental health issues and alcohol abuse, Peaty discovered the mindset he used to fuel his achievements wasn’t sustainable .
“When you realize what I have in sport, Olympic gold medals and world records, it comes at a price,” he said. “We all know that sport is extremely demanding.
“I started in a place where I had to take a break from sport, a break from life because it’s very demanding. Now I’m looking forward to Paris in a place where I achieved a very good qualifying time, with a few more months to improve from this point.
“It’s been an enjoyable journey. I think the balance is always having fun.
“I really enjoy it even though what we’re trying to do right now is extremely tiring. It’s good.”
