Adam Ramsay-Peaty Still Searching for a Solution as Clock Ticks Down to LA 2028
Adam Ramsay-Peaty arrived in Paris towing a record of 16 golds from 16 European Championship races.
Photo Courtesy: Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto
Starting at Berlin 2014, the Briton won four titles at each edition up to and including Budapest 2021 where he completed the quadruple quadruple, a couple of months before winning his second Olympic 100m breaststroke title.
On Tuesday, the 31-year-old finished fifth in the 100 breast and was part of the Great Britain quartet that came fourth in the mixed medley relay.
The unbeaten run had come to an end although the swimmer was more concerned at his time of 59.10 than missing the podium, a day after qualifying third for the final in 58.94.
“That’s literally where my brain goes,” said Ramsay-Peaty. “It’s about the time now, whereas before it was about the medals. It’s frustrating because I’m either side of that 59, and I know why. It’s just the car just isn’t fast enough and we’ve only had 12 weeks to really improve it. Obviously took a gamble on endurance, but it hasn’t really paid off.”
Juggling Fatherhood & Olympic Goals
Ramsay-Peaty has found himself in an intense spotlight in recent weeks. Bronze at the Commonwealth Games was followed by tears in the mixed zone where journalists gather to interview athletes post-race.
In those 12 weeks he spoke off, the 31-year-old moved to London with wife Holly, the daughter of chef Gordon Ramsay, and began a new training regime with coach Lisa Bates. He is also preparing to welcome a daughter in December with son George set to turn six next month.
Photo Courtesy: Morgan Harlow/Aquatics GB
The single-minded outlook and structure put in place by former coach Mel Marshall and their team were key in Ramsay-Peaty reaching the Olympic pinnacle and breaking through barriers no-one thought possible, including a 56.88 world record.
Marshall headed to Australia following Paris 2024 where Ramsay-Peaty finished second, 0.02 behind Nicolo Martinenghi.
Ramsay-Peaty’s lifestyle has entirely changed since those days when scientists built a custom silicon replica of his head to test cap designs and minimise water drag.
That structure and innovation helped him to the Olympic pinnacle but now he’s attempting to establish how he can balance his new life and still be competitive in two years’ time in LA.
“I wouldn’t say it’s the same environment because we’re not on the same mission now,” he said. “That mission was to win everything there ever was and Project 56, but the mission now for me is, can I still win whilst being a father of soon-to-be two? And obviously the other bits of life. To be honest, I looked at the medals and I looked at the scoreboard and I was like, I’m not disappointed because I didn’t medal. I’m disappointed with the time because I think I’m faster again.”
Fine-Tuning A Misfiring F1 Car
Ramsay-Peaty last topped an international podium at the 2022 Commonwealth Games where he responded to finishing fourth over 100m to take 50 gold.
Silver two years later in Paris was followed by a hiatus before the addition of the 50s to the LA programme sealed his return to the pool.
Adam Peaty of Great Britain, silver, Nicolo Martinenghi of Italy, gold, Nic Fink of United States of America: Photo Courtesy: Deepbluemedia
However, it has been a bumpy ride in and out of the pool for Ramsay-Peaty since that time including a public falling-out with his family. A frustration with his times and more bubbled over at the Commonwealth Games.
He cuts a far more composed figure in the French capital although still frustrated by his times which are hovering around the 59 and high 58 mark.
“Hopefully it’s not the new normal because it’s boring as shit,” he said. “But for me, I’m an emotive swimmer. I’m a person who carries that from Commies and then swimming, swinging back around to this. I thought we executed the best we could. The car just isn’t as fast. It’s almost like I’m driving the car really well. It’s just the speed isn’t there and we’ve just got to look at why.
“Looking at the gym, basically everything around that car. It’s just like F1 – you look at the aerodynamics, you look at the engine, you look at the suspension, everything really matters, right?
“And it’s the same in sport. Obviously I’ve got a ticking clock on the car, so I need to find it fast.”