Petey dreams of another gold in Paris. Photo: PA Wire/Zach Goodwin
For just under 58 seconds in London on Tuesday night, you would have thought that absolutely nothing had changed since the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
Adam Peaty crushed his breaststroke rivals in 57.94 seconds — the fastest time in the world this year — and sent an ominous signal that he could go faster in Paris and potentially even threaten the world record he has held for about five years back. /p>
However, the reality turned out to be completely different.
Adam Peaty is back with a vengeance 👑
Three Peats arriving in Paris? pic.twitter.com/gb6VPJHhwT
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) April 2, 2024
«We've been through hell in the last three years — I didn't want to see the pool again — this sport broke me,» Peaty said, referring to the rollercoaster ride after his second and third Olympic gold in 2021, which variously included appearances on Dancing with the Stars, broke his leg, lost for the first time in eight years, was diagnosed with ADHD, alcohol problems, personal turmoil, depression, searching for God and falling in love with Holly Ramsay, the daughter of a celebrity. Chef Gordon
Yes, and after contemplating retirement «1000 times over,» he's now back in shape and considering a shot at Olympic immortality by emulating Michael Phelps and becoming the second-largest swimmer in history winning the same competition at three consecutive Games.
Significant obstacles remain — not least Chinese swimmer Qin Haiyang, who dominated the 100m in his absence — but Peaty's victory at the British Championships on Tuesday at the London Aquatics Center could register the breaststroke around the world.
Not so much to win, but to swim under 58 seconds for the first time since Tokyo and a significant improvement on January's World Championships bronze medalist of 59.10 seconds.
Peaty's trainer Mel Marshall will of course be looking to ensure the 29-year-old reaches his peak in 118 days and there appears to be confidence that further big improvements are possible. “I’m not fully back yet, I still have a second,” Petey said.
Petey' His time of 57.94 is the fastest 100m breaststroke time in the world this year. Photo: PA/Zac Goodwin
By comparison, his world record of 56.88 seconds, set in 2019, is again almost exactly a second faster. A more intriguing benchmark at the moment is 24-year-old Haiyan, who lowered his personal best last year to 57.64 seconds and will himself be expecting further improvement over the next 12 months.
It's all set for a mouth-watering showdown in Paris between the Chinese 2023 world champion and Peaty, the reigning two-time Olympic champion who has found a new perspective after trying to move beyond reducing his self-worth entirely to mere victory.
“A few years ago I would have walked out of there disappointed,” Peaty said after the win, which also confirmed his Olympic spot. “I have learned to appreciate moments of greatness for myself. It was a great swim for me, well done, but the most promising thing is that now I find peace in the water, not anger, just fight it and try to win that way.
“I find a new a version of myself that I really like and I think this version can do well at the Olympics.
“This is a real win for my team, my family and me. I didn't know which path to take, and there were so many things that got in my way. But now I wake up every day and enjoy my job. Who knows what the final will be, but I like it.»
James Wilby, who finished second to Peaty, missed the nomination time of 59.45 seconds by an agonizing 0.02 seconds, but could still be one of A maximum of 30 swimmers nominated by Aquatics GB following the conclusion of the championships on Sunday.
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