Double Olympic 100m champion Adam Peaty withdraws from British Swimming Championships to prioritise mental health
The 28-year-old says, "I’m tired, I’m not myself and I’m not enjoying the sport as I have done for the last decade."
Swimming
Three-time Olympic gold medallist Adam Peaty announced Wednesday (29 March) that he has withdrawn from the upcoming British Swimming Championships in order to prioritise his mental health. The competition, which is Team GB's World Championships trials, is scheduled to begin on 4 April.
"As some people may know, I've struggled with my mental health over the last few years and I think it's important to be honest about it. I'm tired, I'm not myself and I'm not enjoying the sport as I have done for the last decade," Peaty said in a statement on Twitter. "Some might recognise it as burnout; I just know that over the last few years I haven't had the answers. With help, now I know how I can address the imbalance in my life.
"Whilst I am continuing to train, I have decided to withdraw from the British Swimming Championships next month," he continued in the post. "This is with the sole purpose of delivering the best performance possible in Paris at the 2024 Olympic Games. I'm hugely grateful for all the support I am receiving from my team and family at British Swimming along with my incredible sponsors, family and friends."
Peaty's withdrawal does not necessarily mean he will not be able to compete at this summer's World Aquatics Championships, scheduled for 14-30 July in Fukuoka, Japan. According to SwimSwam, Team GB's selection procedures leave him with avenues to make the squad including via a discretionary selection.
In addition to back-to-back 100m gold medals at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, Peaty was part of the 4x100m mixed medley that claimed gold at Tokyo 2020. His Olympic career also includes two silvers in 4x100m medley. At the World Championships, Peaty has collected eight gold medals.