Adam Peaty broke down in tears after winning bronze in the men's 100 metre breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, admitting that his family feud had "taken a toll" on his career. The 31-year-old three-time Olympic gold medallist had excluded his parents from his December wedding to Holly Ramsay-Peaty.
Emotional Interview
"It's hard because I know how hard I work. I know the s*** I've been through, which is no fault of my own, but it does take its toll," Peaty said after being beaten by Australia's Sam Williamson and Jersey's Filip Nowacki. He added, "I'm not crying because it's bronze instead of gold. I'm crying because I know I am better than that."
His wife Holly was in the stands cheering him on, and the couple are expecting their first child together.
Mother's Statement
Caroline Peaty, Adam's mother, responded on Instagram after the interview. She first shared a black-and-white image of Cillian Murphy from Peaky Blinders with the caption, "I forgive people but that doesn't mean I accept their behaviour or trust them. I forgive them for me, so I can let go and move on with my life."
She then posted a longer statement: "We continue to support Adam from afar. He's our son who we love, whom we supported to reach his aspirations. Our love, our time, our sacrifices were given freely with no expectation of financial reward just genuinely given with the love as any mother and father would do for their child." She added, "We are strong, we love and are always there for each other. The very nature of our strength as a family has helped us move past the nastiness, the lies that have been told about us."
Family Source's Criticism
However, a family source speaking to The Daily Mail gave a different perspective, directly addressing the swimmer: "The hurt you feel over a medal does not compare to the hurt you have caused your mother." The source alleged that Peaty was "playing the blame game now" and claimed he should "just take accountability for your own actions for once, Adam, instead of blaming us."
The source also claimed Peaty had previously made comments that his family would try to disrupt his games, adding, "Don't blame your family for your bronze. You need to look closer to home and in the mirror." They alleged that becoming famous and meeting Holly had changed him, saying, "We don't like who you have become."
Adam's Own Post
Adam Peaty also shared an impassioned statement on Instagram, calling his bronze medal "bittersweet" as he knew "in my soul that I am capable of much more." He vowed to "keep fighting, learning, adapting and striving for excellence until I can no longer give anymore." He added, "Racing with my countries' flag on my cap is the greatest honour."
Wife Holly commented, "So proud of you, always ❤️."
Adam has a son, George, five, from a previous relationship with Eirianedd Munro.
