2023 BRITISH SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Tuesday, April 4th – Sunday, April 9th
- Ponds Forge, Sheffield
- LCM (50m)
- World Championships Qualifier
- World Championships Selection Criteria
- Draft Entries
- Men’s Preview
- Women’s Preview
A surprising announcement came out of Great Britain just days before the start of the British Swimming Championships/World Trials.
Olympic gold medalist Adam Peaty has withdrawn from the elite national competition which starts on April 4th, citing mental health reasons.
28-year-old Peaty stated today, “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.
“Whilst I am continuing to train, I have decided to withdraw from the British Swimming Championships next month. This is with the sole purpose of delivering the best performance possible in Paris at the 2024 Olympic Games.
“I’m hugely grateful for all the support I am receiving from my team and family at British Swimming along with my incredible sponsors, family and friends. As always, I thank the swimming community and beyond for the incredible support I’ve forever received. This sport has given me everything I am and I’m looking forward to finding the love I have for it again.”
British Swimming says that Peaty will continue to train under longtime coach Mel Marshall as part of his recovery process and will be assisted in managing his competition schedule as appropriate.
Peaty was entered in the men’s 50m breast and 100m breast for the British Swimming Championships, the sole qualifying opportunity for this summer’s World Championships.
Peaty most recently competed at the Edinburgh International Swim Meet where the World Record holder notched times as follows:
- 1:00.20 – 100m breast final
- 2:16.41 – 200m breast heats
Although Peaty is out of this qualifying meet, it doesn’t entirely mean he’s out of this summer’s World Championships.
For one, per the British Swimming selection policy, the top finisher needs to meet or exceed the stiff time standard of 58.93 to earn automatic consideration.
To date, just Peaty and James Wilby are the only British swimmers who have ever been under the 59-second threshold. Peaty owns the WR in 56.88 while Wilby’s personal best rests at the 58.46 notched at the 2019 World Championships.
The British Selection policy also gives the nation’s coaching brain trust discretionary selections to the roster as well.
He was badly advised. He was at the top of his game, the greatest breaststroker ever seen, then he was advised to go on ‘Strictly’. His training took a back seat for much too long. It’s always a worry when athletes sign up to management agencies whose main objective is to steer the athlete away from their comfort zone and into TV shows and after-dinner speaking. Adam is the only swimmer in history to hold all major global championships at the same time. So talented. Sadly, I believe he is still being advised poorly. It is a mistake to publicly announce mental vulnerability. Paris will be out of the question. Unfortunately, it is all over for the greatest breaststroker the… Read more »
“Adam is the only swimmer in history to hold all major global championships at the same time.”
Can you define your terms here? Because…I don’t think this is true.
I think Adam mistook what his teammate said at Commonwealth last year. When the advice was: ‘Don’t let swimming define you,’ which was perfect, he instead heard, ‘Don’t let any single race define you.’ It is easily understandable; he is THAT driven and focused. However, that advice still dangles out there… and it only can help…
Poor guy probably just wants to retire and raise a family. Hope he comes back on his terms. Take care of yourself, SIR!
🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐
I can’t lie It’s a bit of a bummer. I’m really hoping he’ll be able to compete in Paris.
Thx for your honesty Adam.
Again thx to Phelps and Shields for setting the precedent on mental health issues here in the sport of swimming. As well Caeleb.
It’s a grueling sport period.
With sponsorship, nil, and the pro realm, the pain has amped up.
Good luckSport.
Paris sounds realistic.
But if not there is no shame here.
Your situation is real and sheds light on the sports human side.
This is real sport.
Good luck Adam…I meant
No one beats Father Time and I <3 Mother Nature
Done.
I guess “Project Immortal” has been put on indefinite hold. . . . .