Adam Ramsay-Peaty secured a bronze medal in the men's 50m breaststroke final at the Commonwealth Games, finishing in 26.94 seconds, just 0.01 ahead of South Africa's Chris Smith. The former Olympic champion admitted his 'superpower' is waning but expressed contentment with his new reality.
Ramsay-Peaty's new reality
“That period of time where I was undefeated for eight years, whatever it was, it was athlete first, then human,” Ramsay-Peaty said. “Now it’s human first, then athlete, which is a very fair price to pay.” He added: “My superpower looks very different now. I think juggling babies with milk and having a toddler around is, I guess, a different superpower when that time comes. But as a professional athlete, I’m still committed. I’ve still got that mentality. We just had to approach it very differently because I’ve been that person who wins all the time, and it costs you pretty much everything, and I won’t say it’s worth it now.”
Ramsay-Peaty, who also won bronze in the 100m breaststroke earlier in the Games, acknowledged his frustration with recent performances. “We weren’t good enough, and we have to look at why because the data in training, the data this whole season, has been tracking on an upward trend, and I can’t really put my finger on it where I’ve just lost that power per stroke,” he said. “I’m not going to lie, it’s very frustrating. Something is not clicking. But it is my first championship since Paris to get two bronzes. You know, we’ve still got relays to go. I’d say that’s success. I’m not going to be too hard on myself, not any more. Let’s keep it in perspective.”
Goodburn's inspiring appearance
Scotland's Archie Goodburn received the biggest roar of the night in the same race despite finishing tied last. The 25-year-old was competing having been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer two years ago. “The reception was monumental,” said Goodburn. “I tried to prepare myself for it. But that was the next level.”
Doctors have diagnosed oligodendrogliomas, which accounts for roughly 3% of all primary brain tumours, and means he may have only a decade to live. Goodburn has made it his mission to raise awareness. “Every athlete talks about tough times, but there’s been some really tough times,” he said. “And the shoes I was in, or the position I was in this time last year, it was a dark spot. So looking back on where I am now 12 months later, and everything we’ve managed to achieve over the year, thanks to the support of my friends, family and the University of Edinburgh. I can’t say a big enough thank you. And long may that continue.”
Last year, Goodburn started using Vorasidenib, a breakthrough treatment designed to slow the spread of cancer, delaying chemotherapy. When asked how he remained positive, he said: “I advocate because I believe that my own advocacy can make a difference to my own life. And the best way I can do that is to be positive about the situation and positive for change. But I also advocate for the future Archies. I swim for future Archies that want to succeed on an international level. But also young patients and people with brain cancer under the age of 40. Brain cancer is the biggest killer of all cancers for people under the age of 40 in the UK. And I do believe that our advocacy groups are making a difference to that. That we’ll hopefully see over the next few years.”
