The Olympic champion prepares for his toughest training period yet as he reflects on family support and personal challenges.
Category: Sports
Olympic champion Adam Peaty is setting his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, drawing inspiration from his father-in-law, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. The 31-year-old swimmer, who recently faced a tumultuous period in both his personal and professional life, confirmed he would compete in 2028 after the addition of the 50m breaststroke event to the Olympic schedule.
Peaty, who has three Olympic gold medals and three silvers, admitted that the next two years would be "the hardest of my career." He nearly quit swimming ahead of the 2024 Paris Games and again shortly after, but the prospect of competing in Los Angeles has reignited his passion for the sport. "The Olympics is the one that excites me. That is the one that really gets me out of bed every day, the one I dream of," he told BBC Breakfast.
Having married Ramsay’s daughter, Holly, in December 2025, Peaty has found support in his new family, particularly from the renowned chef. "[He’s] very inspiring," Peaty said of Ramsay. "I take a lot of guidance. I look up to him a lot... in [terms of] sport, he knows the game is the game, that it doesn’t lie. But it will humble you and you’ve got to work hard for those results." Peaty believes that the skills he has developed through sport will serve him well in other aspects of his life.
Peaty's decision to return to competitive swimming came after he learned that the 50m breaststroke would be included in the Olympic lineup, giving him a chance to add this title to the 100m medals he previously won in 2016 and 2021. He has been training intensely, recently competing in the British Championships, where he aimed to qualify for the Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and European Championships. "It’s about how much racing and experience can we gather to give the best performance in LA," he noted.
His recent performances have been a mixed bag. At the Edinburgh International Swim Meet, Peaty won gold in the 50m but finished fourth in the 100m, where he was outpaced by 18-year-old British junior world champion Filip Nowacki. Peaty described his Olympic experience as a rollercoaster, recalling that he was beaten to a third successive gold in Paris by Italy's Nicolo Martinenghi after contracting COVID-19 just days before the final. "With the cards I was dealt I swam out of my skin," he said. "I shouldn’t have got a silver medal."
Before the Paris Games, Peaty opened up about his struggles with injury and mental health, which he described as a "self-destructive spiral." He expressed confidence that he could avoid similar issues as he prepares for the upcoming Olympics. "Can we avoid burnout? Absolutely," he stated, emphasizing the importance of logistical and strategic thinking in his training regimen.
Peaty’s relationship with his family has been complicated, particularly with his mother, Caroline, who was reportedly uninvited from his wedding due to tensions stemming from her exclusion from Holly's hen do. Only one of Peaty's family members, his sister Bethany, attended the ceremony at Bath Abbey. The wedding was not without its controversies, as Ramsay's speech reportedly included jibes at Peaty's family, leading to some backlash.
In a recent interview, Peaty addressed the controversy surrounding Ramsay's wedding speech, stating, "It was always going to be hard to beat Gordon's speech." He praised his father-in-law for his ability to bring people together, saying, "Having her [Holly's] family there for the support and the love they have for us is incredible." Peaty acknowledged the tension between his family and the Ramsays but reiterated the importance of the support he has found in his new family.
Ramsay, who has completed several Ironman and ultramarathon events, has also been a source of inspiration for Peaty. He has taken to heart Ramsay's work ethic and determination, which he believes will aid him as he navigates the challenges of Olympic training. "What makes that path a lot easier is having my wife, my son, and friends around me," Peaty said, highlighting the importance of his support network.
As Peaty gears up for the grueling training ahead, he is also beginning to think about life after swimming. He and Holly are reportedly being groomed into a power couple, with friends like David and Victoria Beckham advising them on building their brand. Peaty has signed with Holly’s influencer agency, Hypesight, as they look to coordinate their careers more strategically.
In the meantime, Peaty is focused on his swimming career, determined to make a strong showing at the Olympics. "We have to set that path now," he emphasized, looking ahead to the next two years of training and competition. With the support of his family and the lessons learned from his experiences, Peaty is ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
As the British Championships continue, Peaty's performance will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike. The swimmer is optimistic about his future, stating, "I know that whatever I learned through sport, those are the skills I can take into the rest of my life as well." With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, Adam Peaty is not just dreaming of gold; he is preparing to make those dreams a reality.