Double Olympic champion Adam Ramsay-Peaty has declared he will "never stop believing" in his ability to reach the top again, despite a challenging Commonwealth Games where he claimed three medals – but none of them gold. In an exclusive interview, the 31-year-old swimmer also hit out at tabloid press intrusion into his private life, calling it "pretty much the downfall of society," while revealing his hopes for reconciliation with his family and his ambition to peak at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Commonwealth Games: A Week of Mixed Emotions
Ramsay-Peaty's week in Glasgow was a far cry from his days of invincibility. He secured bronze in the 100m and 50m breaststroke, and a silver in the men's 4x100m medley relay. For many athletes, this would be a success, but for Ramsay-Peaty, who went eight years undefeated in the 100m breaststroke, it was a source of frustration and tears. "Nothing makes sense this week," he admitted after the 100m final, where he swam almost three seconds slower than his world record.
The emotional toll was evident: "I couldn't switch off because it's been a real rollercoaster of a week," he said, having managed less than three hours of sleep after his final race. He also sent a fiery message to his critics, urging an end to intrusive media coverage: "It has to stop. How many athletes have to go through this until the media learn their lesson?"
From Scorched Earth to a New Mindset
Reflecting on his defeat in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which ended his winning streak, Ramsay-Peaty acknowledged that he had pushed himself to the brink. "I went on the attack and turned myself into scorched earth. I gave too much and that led to the burnout zone in 2023," he said. Now, he is adopting a more balanced approach: "When I was undefeated for eight years, it was athlete first, then human. Now it's human first."
This shift in perspective has been crucial for his mental health. "It's a natural progression from putting absolutely everything into the sport, which came at a huge cost," he explained. "You realise now that if you're second you're not going to die. You just have to learn from it." Despite this, he remains fiercely competitive: "I've still got to burn the boats. I've still got to go all in, and believe I can win."
Training Changes and Family Life
Ramsay-Peaty has been working with a new coach, Lisa Bates, for the past 12 weeks after moving to London to support his pregnant wife, Holly, whose father is celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. The couple is expecting a baby girl in December. The move marked a significant change from his long-time coach Mel Marshall, who now works in Australia. "I've known Lisa for a long time," Ramsay-Peaty said, "and Mel's very close friends with her. It came with the decision to move to London because my wife is pregnant so we needed her family."
He acknowledged that the training transition has been challenging: "We've trained extremely hard. I've only been 12 weeks in London with a new coach and a new programme. That takes time to reach fruition. Once you prune the tree, you grow more fruit in the end."
Press Intrusion and Family Rift
The swimmer has been open about the impact of tabloid scrutiny on his personal life, particularly regarding his relationship with his parents. His mother, Caroline, recently posted a statement on social media about their rift. Ramsay-Peaty, a Christian, spoke about forgiveness: "For me, as a Christian, there has to be forgiveness. It doesn't mean you have to forget, but forgiveness takes time." He added, "I haven't told one thing to the media. I haven't done one story over the last eight months and more."
He expressed concern for his family: "I care about my wife, I care about my son. I care about the relationships that people think I have with my son, and my own family, but that's my private life." He criticized the tabloids for exploiting private lives for advertising, calling it "pretty much the downfall of society."
Looking to the Future: LA 2028 and Beyond
Ramsay-Peaty remains focused on the ultimate goal: the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. He believes he can still compete at the highest level, drawing parallels to other ageing sporting greats like Lionel Messi. "Team sports have the benefit of being able to carry special players. But as a swimmer, when you're older, it's harder to race in the heats, and then the semis and finals. There's nowhere to hide," he said.
He is also considering his event focus, potentially dropping the 100m to concentrate on the 50m. "Not yet, no. I know I can be so strong in the 100. We've got to keep it in perspective. This is my first championships in two years. It's been a bad week and we need to be better," he said. With the European Championships starting in Paris on 10 August, he is determined to bounce back.
Asked if he believes he can find the balance between his relentless drive and personal well-being, Ramsay-Peaty smiled: "Yes. I've got a good armoury. I've just to get the polishing cloth out now."
