Adam Peaty, Britain’s greatest swimmer, has stepped away from competing over concerns for his mental health.
In a dramatic announcement through his social media channel the three-time Olympic champion cited burnout for his decision. He confirmed he was withdrawing from next month’s British Championships and that he was taking the step to give himself the best chance of success at next summer’s Paris Olympics.
Peaty, who will continue to train, wrote: “Everyone wants to sit in your seat until they have to sit in your seat. Very few people understand what winning and success does to an individual’s mental health.
“They don’t understand the pressures these individuals put on themselves, to win over and over again. 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. 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.” British Swimming performance director Chris Spice offered his full support to the Uttoxeter superstar and backed his decision to pull out of the national championships.
“The wellbeing of our athletes remains the single most important focus for us as an organisation,” he said. “Adam has given so much to British Swimming and the sport as a whole over the past decade through unmatched levels of dedication, and we hope this time can be a valuable source of physical and mental replenishment for him.
“He is an incredible leader within our team and has set the bar so high with his unwavering commitment to excellence in all that he does.” Spice added that the governing body would work closely with Peaty to support his recovery “in every way possible”.
A grateful Peaty said: “This sport has given me everything I am and I’m looking forward to finding the love I have for it again.”
