Adam Peaty: With 56.1 In His Sights, Inspiring Son George And Invoking The Warrior Spirit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adam Peaty<\/strong>\u2019s domination of the 100 breaststroke has been absolute since his senior international debut at the 2014 Commonwealth Games<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Adam Peaty, Arena Bishamon Collection: Photo Courtesy: Arena<\/p><\/div>\n
He would also become the first British swimmer to retain an Olympic swimming title with Becky Adlington<\/strong> adding double bronze at London 2012 to her 400\/800 free golds in Beijing four years earlier.<\/p>\n
David Wilkie<\/strong> won 200br gold in Montreal in 1976, four years after silver over both breaststroke distances.<\/p>\n
Not that such things drive or concern the eight-time world champion who has always laid stress on the process.<\/p>\n
He told Swimming World:<\/p>\n
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\u201cGoing into the Games now is a very different vibe to me in terms of the preparation for Rio being very different to the preparation now.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel very relaxed, very experienced. I know when to control my emotions, I know when to turn on the fury, I know when to turn on the precision.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can flick on the switch, I can be exactly as I need to be to hopefully get the best possible performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut outside that I can control my emotions even better now because I\u2019ve been doing it quite a while.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough covid I\u2019ve learned so much about myself and about the sport that I\u2019m just enjoying this process now.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Athletes, Peaty among them, often say their own expectations of themselves are far greater than those placed on them by others.<\/p>\n
Can his own expectation then be a burden?<\/p>\n
Peaty said:<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt can be but Mel (coach Mel Marshall) said the other day that pressure is a privilege: people expect you to perform because they want you to perform and I think that\u2019s the most beautiful thing you can do.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing down that last 50 or even the first 50 I\u2019ve got the whole country behind me so that pressure is great to have.<\/p>\n
\u201cExpectation? Yes, I have very high standards to perform in myself. I know what time will make me happy and what won\u2019t make me happy but then again it comes down to the competition, anything can be thrown out there.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
And that time he would be happy with is one that would take him even further through the time-warp, as he said:<\/p>\n
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\u201cIf we put all our best parts of our race into the data \u2013 to the best 50 we\u2019ve ever done, the best 25 we\u2019ve ever done \u2013 if we put all that together, it\u2019s a 56 low or a 56.1.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether that would actually come off, we don\u2019t know \u2013 I\u2019m not going to say yes or no \u2013 but it would be nice just to beat my world record because that\u2019s incredibly fast anyway. I\u2019m certainly able to do that.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow I raced at Europeans (57.66 & 57.67) \u2013 I should not have raced that fast, I shouldn\u2019t have been that fast.<\/p>\n
\u201cI looked at the board after the 50 (26.21) and went no way, that was extremely fast for the amount of work we\u2019d been putting in.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m in a very, very good place: I\u2019ve just got to hold my ground now.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether it\u2019s a worlds or Olympics or Europeans, the preparation is pretty much the same but with Olympics\u2026Mel calls it the 10% because that\u2019s what I gain by racing at the Olympics.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a huge, huge competition and I have huge pride in representing my country.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Becoming A Father And Inspiring George To Dream<\/h3>\n
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Adam Peaty – Olympic immortality in 57.13sec – Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports<\/p><\/div>\n
Peaty was 21 when he won the title in Rio, lowering his 57.92 world record in heats to 57.55 followed by a semi-final effort of 57.62.<\/p>\n
In the final he went 57.13 \u2013 still 0.77 faster than any other man has ever gone \u2013 and hoisted himself on to the lane rope, face turned to the heavens.<\/p>\n
His life was transformed in September 2020 when he became a father to George with partner Eiri Munro.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
In fact, the entire 100br podium in Rio have subsequently become fathers: Cameron van der Burgh<\/strong> to Harry and Cody Miller<\/strong> welcoming Axel.<\/p>\n
Peaty beamed:<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve loved every moment of being a father. Even when he cries, it gives me a duty. I like to have a lot of fun with George, I always get told off by Eiri for being too much fun with him!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI think your kids have to be your best friends if you want a\u00a0strong and trusting\u00a0relationship with them. <\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got a massive job as an athlete but an even larger job as a father over the next 18 years, potentially to more kids as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
So too has George made Peaty ask questions of himself, to examine his priorities and motivation and to be a role model that inspires his son to dare to dream and to never just be satisfied but to always strive for more.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
He said:<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cI think being a dad has given me a little bit of an ultimatum\u00a0as to\u00a0where I put my energy and who I\u2019m doing it for.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always\u00a0swam\u00a0for myself\u00a0and\u00a0I always\u00a0raced\u00a0for my country but now I do it to inspire\u00a0George\u00a0and to show him\u00a0that\u00a0just because you\u00a0win an Olympic title or hold a world record it\u00a0doesn’t mean you have to stop there. You keep pushing\u00a0and\u00a0pushing.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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Photo Courtesy: @adam_peaty<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cI think that’s the best bit of advice you can give your kids, to give them that incentive.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re a role model and you show\u00a0your children that\u00a0you can take on the world,\u00a0then they can be inspired to follow their dreams too.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut\u00a0hopefully it’s not swimming because I don\u2019t fancy getting up at 4am again!!<\/p>\n
\u201cSeriously though, whichever path George takes,\u00a0I want to show\u00a0him\u00a0that you can be the best in the world, and you can take on the world if you\u2019re willing to work hard for it and discipline yourself enough to put yourself ahead of the next guy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d love him to be able to apply himself and work hard on whatever passion he has as he grows up.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery bit of energy from the day is going to cost, and it’s got to come from somewhere, there is a balance to everything you do.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Strength Of Team Peaty<\/h3>\n
\u00a0<\/span>Around Peaty is a strong network, many of them women.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Partner Eiri, mum Caroline<\/strong> \u2013 who would ferry him to and from training from his beginnings at the Dove Valley club \u2013 and grandmother Mavis.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
He said:<\/span><\/p>\n
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\u201cI come from a big family, I have two brothers and one sister. I\u2019m the youngest, so I\u2019ve always had to fight my corner a bit. <\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely think this has instilled\u00a0in me\u00a0a determination and a dedication to succeed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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Adam Peaty, Arena Bishamon Collection: Photo Courtesy: Mike Lewis<\/p><\/div>\n
Mel Marshall<\/strong> has coached Peaty since he was 14, when he joined his friend Kyle for a session at the City of Derby<\/strong> club where she was head coach.<\/span><\/p>\n
He\u2019s always acknowledged the role of Team Peaty in his success and he added:<\/span><\/p>\n
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\u201cI really think\u00a0my success is\u00a0down to\u00a0so many – my girlfriend\u00a0Eiri\u00a0who is the most amazing mother to George,\u00a0our supportive network of\u00a0family\u00a0and friends and the great support of the great team behind us.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the whole team that\u00a0makes\u00a0it possible for me to do what I do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cI have an amazing team around me and an incredible partnership with Mel.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201c<\/span>I wouldn’t turn up if Mel made my sessions easy. I hate going easy because I can\u2019t see progress in easy. I like to suffer!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cI have a lot of experience behind me. I have a lot of data\u00a0that\u00a0tells\u00a0me that I am going to perform here and\u00a0make this time\u00a0there but I think the biggest thing you can contribute to a team is not the medals but the aura, charisma and fearlessness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
It\u2019s rare to find a female coach-male athlete partnership and Marshall was unimpressed by Peaty until she saw him do breaststroke.\u00a0<\/span>Instantly she knew she had someone special in her pool.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Under Marshall\u2019s watchful eye, Peaty has claimed 41 international medals \u2013 29 of them gold \u2013 and set five long-course and two short-course world records over 100m and three 50 standards.<\/p>\n
Marshall is a two-time Olympian who won world, Commonwealth and European medals in her own swimming days.<\/p>\n
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Mel Marshall & Adam Peaty: Photo Courtesy: Mike Lewis \/ ISL<\/p><\/div>\n
Not only has she been fundamental to what Peaty has achieved on the sporting stage but she also ensured he confronted the wider world by introducing him to charity work in Zambia where she’s a patron of the Perfect Day Foundation.<\/p>\n
In October 2012, Peaty joined a group including Adlington, 2008 Olympic 400 free bronze medallist Jo Jackson<\/strong> and two-time Olympic champion Ross Davenport<\/strong> on a bike ride across the East African country.<\/p>\n
Following the 2017 worlds, the pair returned to undertake a challenge of doing 50 hours of sport across five days to raise funds in part for a residential sports facility for young people.<\/p>\n
She has developed the man as well as the athlete who is happy to lead be it to declare his support for the right for athletes\u2019 freedom of expression at the Olympics or his belief in the harshest of sanctions for dopers.<\/p>\n
Of Marshall as a coach, he said:<\/p>\n
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\u201cMel always knows the right thing to say before a race. I’m like a bull ready to charge, so she is normally calming me down. She keeps me level-headed and focused.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we were in Tanzania, Mel pointed to<\/span>\u202fKilimanjaro, and said: \u2018Whatever happens, we\u2019re going to climb that mountain and then reflect on the way up.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cTo know I have her support through anything\u00a0is everything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Invoking The Warrior Spirit<\/h3>\n
Peaty will be clad in the Arena Bishamon<\/strong> collection in Tokyo.<\/span><\/p>\n
One of the Seven Gods of Fortune in Japanese folklore, Bishamon \u2013 or Bishamonten \u2013 is an armour-clad warrior god, a guardian deity who protects and brings divine favour in battle.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s something that resonates with Peaty, very much the gladiator in the arena, a soldier leading from the front.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Adam Peaty, Arena Bishamon Collection:Photo Courtesy: Mike Lewis<\/p><\/div>\n
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\u201cYes, definitely!\u202fI\u2019m ready to have a good fight,\u202fthat\u2019s\u202fhow I view swimming.\u00a0You\u2019ve got to put\u00a0everything\u00a0on the line and\u00a0then\u00a0sacrifice\u00a0even\u00a0more\u00a0for\u00a0victory.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n<\/span>\u201cThat is my personality, and everyone knows it: I\u2019m quite an aggressive racer and I\u2019ll use my aggression, it\u2019s how my brain is wired.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cBut, at\u00a0the end of the day sport is entertainment and it\u2019s a source of inspiration for a lot of people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat moment when I put the Union Jack, the five rings and my Arena Bishamon suit\u202fon is when I\u2019ll respond \u2013 it\u2019s the ultimate race.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am also extremely proud to have an opportunity to make history at the Olympic Games, with all of its ancient heritage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s massive motivation for me to know that all those people are watching me race, I\u2019m not sure a lot of people use that like I do; it\u2019s a huge source of motivation for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thought of being beaten keeps me going;\u00a0I\u2019m a competitor, I love\u00a0competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have respect for my fellow competitors but also, I let my\u00a0swimming do the talking, I let the race\u00a0speak for itself.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you get complacent and think you can\u2019t be beaten, you start to make mistakes.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike warriors, I think athletes have both weaknesses and strengths, and recognising these is very important in becoming the best you can be.”<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a lot of patience,\u00a0I\u2019m extremely\u00a0disciplined and I have an\u00a0unparalleled work ethic;\u00a0I use adversity to propel me forward, using it as motivation rather than seeing it as an obstacle.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Heading To Tokyo With ‘Best’ British Team\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Photo Courtesy: Deepbluemedia\/Insidefoto<\/p><\/div>\n
Britain enjoyed their greatest success in the pool in Rio since the 1908 Olympics with six medals.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
On top of Peaty\u2019s gold, he also won silver with the men\u2019s 4×100 medley relay squad that went one better in 2019 to win world gold in Gwangju, Duncan Scott<\/strong> anchoring them in the second-fastest split in history.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Jazz Carlin<\/strong> won silver in the 400 and 800 free, Siobhan O\u2019Connor<\/strong> \u2013 who announced he retirement last month \u2013 was second in the 200IM as was the men\u2019s 4×200 free.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
The competition at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre<\/strong> promises to be a thriller and Peaty believes Britain is in a great position, saying:<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
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\u201cSuccess and development all trickles down from the leadership and what they tell the coaches and how the coaches train.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a lot smarter now, more process orientated. I don\u2019t waste my time or energy on something that I don\u2019t think will work.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m experienced now and I want to\u00a0be able to lead by example and offer that experience to others too.\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think any past British swimming team has been as good as this team in terms of welcoming the new swimmers, introducing our culture and just letting them swim. <\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s all about performance for us. I think if you can have that relaxed, calm state but go to battle when you need to,\u00a0then you\u2019ve got a very strong team.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cI have team-mates who look up to me in the team, but I also have team-mates I look up to, such as Duncan and Jimmy (Guy). <\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s great to have a team which is so cohesive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
What’s In Peaty\u2019s Kit Bag?<\/h3>\n
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Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Perottino \/ Deepbluemedia \/ Insidefoto<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cI always race in the Core FX, either in the new Bishamon style or in the black and gold suit. On a race day I pack two suits, one new and one old. I’ve never had an arena costume rip on me but have had other brands do so in the past!<\/p>\n
\u201cOther than my suit,\u00a0the most important item in my kit bag is my goggles. I love arena goggles because they don\u2019t fog as quickly as other brands. I only have to change them over every\u00a0couple of months,\u00a0compared to every two weeks\u00a0as I\u2019ve had to before. My favourite pair to train and race in are the Bishamon goggles. I also always race in the\u00a0arena soft cap.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn terms of training kit, I don\u2019t think you need super high-tech kit to be a great athlete\u00a0but you do need to have trust in everything you wear and use.<\/p>\n
“I like to train in arena basic trunks in a minimalistic design. My favourite hand paddles are ones made by arena which have a single strap on the finger and a hole in the middle.<\/p>\n
“They allow me to really feel the water on the palm of my hand.<\/p>\n
“Also in my kit bag are my gold Arena fins. I think fins are everyone’s favourite!\u00a0\u00a0I use an Arena monotone backpack in matte black to keep everything in.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Peaty has also written a book, The Gladiator Mindset<\/strong>, that will be published on 11 November.<\/p>\n
It’s a 10-step guide that enables the reader “to push your limits and achieve the impossible”.<\/p>\n
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From one of the best elite athletes on the planet, @adam_peaty<\/a> has written a book bursting with no-nonsense advice on locating your inner gladiator to push your limits and achieve the impossible. <\/p>\n
Pre-order THE GLADIATOR MINDSET now \ud83d\udd17 https:\/\/t.co\/xKA5lv0dJD<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/SqtToSh9tB<\/a><\/p>\n
— Quercus Books (@QuercusBooks) June 18, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n