Braden Keith contributed to this report.
When you’re a swimmer as great as Adam Peaty is, there aren’t many opportunities to achieve a new ‘first,’ but the breaststroking legend did just that in Tuesday’s 50 meter final at the Commonwealth Games. After silver medals in 2014 and 2018, he won a 50 breaststroke gold in 2022, filling out one of the few holes in his extensive resume.
Peaty won the race in 26.76, a bounce back swim after missing the podium in the 100 breast for the first time in nearly a decade. These Birmingham Games are his return to competition after a foot injury forced him to withdraw from Worlds and kept him out of the water for six weeks.
After finishing fourth in the 100, Peaty spoke to the media about the disappointment. He told the BBC, “something’s gone missing…haven’t felt the spark in it for the last two years…you can get burnout from the sport that you love…so it’s like how do we find our spark again.”
This victory might have pushed Peaty towards finding his spark again. It was a statement swim, reflected by his post-win celebration. During the victory lap after the medal ceremony, Peaty went straight to the stands to hand the Perry the Bull plushie to his one-year-old son. The win clearly meant a lot to him–not only did he silence those who thought he was done after the 100 breast, but he got to add a new line on his list of accomplishments.
So what’s left for the 27-year old?
Within the purview of his individual specialty, most of the gaps that remain are in short course meters. He has never won gold in the 50 breaststroke at the European Short Course Championships (he did win the 100 in 2017). He has also never won a Short Course World Championships gold medal in any event. Based on past comments, there’s a chance he never takes on short course meters again, so for now he’ll have to ‘settle’ for the long course career sweep. He also has ‘Project Immortal’, his goal to set a world record that stands the test of time.
Walk on water
He mentioned in an interview just before the Commonwealths that he planned to do a training block in Australia at the end of the year and then take part in World SC Chanps. Whether or not he will still do this given his current form is anyone’s guess, but with Shymanovich banned from competing, could be his best opportunity for gold at SC metres.
Are the Russians still banned from competing ? I thought it was over
Until year end I believe by FINA
It’s interesting that he says he hasn’t felt the “spark” for two years but somehow announced “Project Immortal” last year. Why would you announce a crazy ambitious goal while saying you don’t feel a spark from swimming? Was it just to sell more books?
Maybe to to set that goal, to try and ignite the spark again?
Some put pressure on themselves to perform when intrinsic motivation is lacking. At least, I’ve noticed that among various competitive people.
He needs a better pre-swim playlist.
With the benefit of now knowing where his head has been at since Tokyo, Project Immortal I think was an attempt to ignite some self-motivation/purpose given all he has already achieved.
When athletes decline they have to rationalize it to themselves somehow. In Tokyo I noticed Peaty’s strange reaction after winning the 100. He turned around and stared at the board, clearly expecting to see a faster time if not another world record. Once he saw the 57.37 instead, his celebration was quite muted, especially after he sat atop the lane rope. He splashed at the water and almost missed.
I expected he’d never break 57 again but he didn’t anticipate that. So he’s either got to concede to himself that he’ll never be as fast as he once was, or he needs to scramble for explanation. He’s decided to retreat 2 years and assign the lack of new personal… Read more »
100breast Olympic 3-peat of course!
He has to go out on top in Paris. That’s the last box i reckon
This is the one. It’s the only thing left that could add to what he has already achieved. Only one man and two women have done a three peat in swimming.
Three women: Fraser, Egerszegi, Ledecky
Answer: Do some different training and go 2:03 in the 200!