Adam Peaty cryptically reveals defending his 100m breaststroke gold ‘has closed a chapter’ as world record holder says he DID feel the pressure before storming to victory in Tokyo
Adam Peaty says he did feel the pressure of the nation on his shoulders before roaring to glory in the Tokyo pool to retain his 100m breaststroke title.
Peaty, 26, was the hot favourite to repeat in the event he won in Rio five years ago but his heats weren’t his best and expectation was mounting.
But after producing a stunning swim to win gold, an emotional Peaty said that victory has ‘closed a chapter’ having settled what he felt was ‘unfinished business’.
‘I haven’t felt this good since 2016. It just means the world to me,’ he told the BBC.
Adam Peaty retained the 100m breaststroke gold he won in Rio with a dazzling display in Tokyo
Peaty revealed he was feeling the pressure as he wanted to handle his ‘unfinished business’
‘I thought I had the best preparation in my life but then you throw in morning finals, and you throw all that out the window.
‘That’s really what it takes to be an athlete. It’s not who’s the best all year round, it’s the best person on the day who’s the most adaptable and really who wants it more.
‘I did feel a little pressure in the semi-final but that was a good pressure – I needed to go my fastest one. You can do whatever you want in your own pool, in your own nation, in your own race.
The red-capped Brit explained how his son George has taken up a lot of ’emotional energy’
‘This has closed a chapter for me. There was unfinished business and I want to say thank you to the nation for being behind me for the last five years.
‘Thank you to my family, my gorgeous partner, my gorgeous son, and my family back home. They’ve been with it every step of the way.
‘This victory wasn’t mine – it was a great swimming team, my family, my friends. And those people I had to put to the sideline for a moment so I knew it was going to take absolutely every bit of energy to get to this point and I’m glad. I’m just so relieved.’
Peaty let his emotions get the better of him in his immediate post-race interview as he twice swore on live TV.
‘It’s not who’s the best all year round, it’s the best person on the day who’s the most adaptable and really who f*****g wants it more,’ he said first.
Swimming sensation Peaty (left) beat Arno Kamminga of the Netherlands, who won the silver
He later added he was ‘so f*****g relieved’ to defend his title and get Team GB’s gold medal haul underway.
Peaty remains unbeaten over 100m at breaststroke for seven years, including Rio, but narrowly fell short of breaking his own record with a time of 57.37 seconds.
The Brit has made no secret of his desire to return to see his son George and that his first thought after he stepped off the podium.
‘If (the Games) was delayed another one, I don’t know,’ Peaty added.
‘Especially with George now, I obviously want to get on with my life but again there is a cost to everything. Being a father, all that emotional energy – I just can’t think straight of how much I’ve done it for them.
‘I can look him in the eye and say all that time I had to go training and leave him, and all that time I had to leave her in difficult situations, it’s all been worth it, and you know I love them so much.’
Peaty posed for the poolside cameras and had bowed to the crowd to acknowledge his victory