Olympic gold medallist Adam Ramsay-Peaty has spoken out against what he describes as hurtful comments from critics following his bronze medal performance in the 100-metre breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday. The 31-year-old swimmer, who recently announced he is expecting his first child with wife Holly Ramsay-Peaty, expressed his continued passion for the sport and called for a more positive environment for athletes.
Ramsay-Peaty took to Instagram to share his thoughts, describing the bronze medal as a 'bittersweet moment'. He acknowledged that he believes he is 'capable of much more' and that the race 'just didn’t come together unfortunately', despite his rigorous training. He posted several photos from the event, including one with his wife, Holly, and thanked her for her 'unwavering support'.
In a lengthy post, the swimmer directly addressed those who have criticised him and his family. He stated, 'To the people out there who want to hurt me and my family with comments, I have seen this story a thousand times with other athletes from many sports.' He urged for a shift towards positivity, advocating for 'a better world for the next generation of athletes' and emphasising that 'Love always wins'.
The couple, who married last December, both adopted the surname Ramsay-Peaty. Holly is the daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Their relationship previously drew media attention last year amidst reports of a family disagreement with Adam’s parents, Mark and Caroline, who reportedly did not attend their wedding. Adam Ramsay-Peaty also expressed gratitude for his team, friends, and supporters in the stands, calling his participation in his fourth Commonwealth Games 'the greatest honour'.
Despite the mixed emotions surrounding his recent performance, Ramsay-Peaty remains focused on future competition. He is scheduled to compete in the 50-metre breaststroke event later today, Monday 27 July 2026, declaring, 'tonight I go again.' His wife, Holly, publicly reiterated her support for him, commenting 'so proud of you, always' on his Instagram post and sharing it on her own story. The couple reportedly met through Holly’s sister Tilly during their time on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 and announced their engagement in 2024.