Why Adam Peaty is competing under a new name at Commonwealth Games comeback
Swimming sensation Adam Peaty is back in the pool but there is something a little different about him... a new name.
Now going by Adam Ramsay-Peaty, the three-time Olympic gold medallist is competing in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this week, 12 years on from his breakthrough as a teenager in the same event and city.
He was simply Adam Peaty back then, but the 31-year-old is now competing under his new moniker for the first time as he aims to become the first English swimmer to win four gold medals in succession at the Commonwealth Games.
He changed his name to honour his wife, Holly Ramsay, after the pair tied the knot in December last year, which wasn't without controversy as only Adam's sister, Bethany, was invited from his side of the family due to a feud with the Ramsays.
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If you're unaware, Holly's father is none other than celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and he's someone Ramsay-Peaty has come to be inspired by.
Speaking about his famous father-in-law earlier this year, he told the BBC: "[He's] very inspiring.
"I think for him, it's obviously a very different way of life in terms of the business he has to do and the businesses he has to run.
"I take a lot of guidance. I look up to him a lot... in [terms of] sport, he knows the game is the game, that it doesn't lie. But it will humble you and you've got to work hard for those results.
"I know that whatever I learned through sport, those are the skills I can take into the rest of my life as well."
Adam and Holly recently announced they are expecting their first child, a girl, in December.
Ramsay-Peaty is on the hunt for gold
Ramsay-Peaty dominated in the water for eight years following his shock triumph over Olympic and world record holder Cameron van der Burgh in the 100m at Glasgow's Tollcross International Swimming Centre in 2014.
However, his golden winning streak came to an end in 2022 and after claiming a silver in the 2024 Paris Olympics, there was growing speculation he could retire from the sport.
Instead, he took a 20-month hiatus before returning this year and is aiming to get back on the highest spot of the podium during the Commonwealths.
He is competing in the men's 100m breaststroke on Saturday, 25 July, and the men's 50m breaststroke on Monday, July 27.
However, medals are no longer his motivating factor and he is instead driven by performing as best as he can.
"I don't see success as medals anymore," Ramsay-Peaty said, via ESPN. "That's not defeatist and it's not waving the white flag. It's probably the opposite.
"Success for me is coming away from Glasgow knowing I've done absolutely everything I possibly could to finish as high as I can."
Ramsay-Petey added: "Being selected to represent your country is always an honour and there is something special about a home Commonwealth Games."
Maddie McCann's brother competing in the Commonwealth games
Sean McCann, the younger brother of Madeline McCann, is also competing in swimming at the Commonwealth Games.
The 21-year-old chemical engineering student is representing host nation Scotland in the games and finished fourth in an eight-man heat in the men's 400m freestyle on Saturday.
Cheered on by his parents Kate, who first took him swimming when he was eight, and Gerry McCann, his time of 3:52.65 was enough to see him advance to the final on Saturday evening.
Sean is hoping to impress in Glasgow to fulfil his dream of representing Team GB at the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
He and twin sister Amelie were two years old when Madeline McCann was abducted on May 3, 2007, while on holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal.
Topics: Sport, Gordon Ramsay, Celebrity
Daniel Murphy