Adam Peaty’s mother said all children should be taught how to swim as it is a vital life-saving skill – and it was this that started the swimming superstar on his path to success.
Caroline Peaty is currently in Budapest supporting her 22-year-old son at the World Aquatics Championships, where he has already claimed his first gold in the men's 100-metre breaststroke and smashed his own world record in the heats for the 50-metre breaststroke.
His proud mum explained that Adam’s love of the water came from her wanting him to learn this vital life-saving skill. she added that he always gives 100 per cent to everything that he does.
Caroline said: “Children need to be learning to swim. It is a good physical activity but it is also a life-saving skill as well. That is why I wanted Adam to learn to swim as all children should do it.
“I am extremely proud of Adam. As each year goes by it is going to get more difficult but once Adam has set himself a goal he really goes for it. We did see him after the 100 -metre as he was with the other athletes doing physio. He came over and gave us a big hug. He was pleased with himself and he asked us if we were pleased with how he did. We were ecstatic and even more with the 50 metres.
“Adam is always confident and always goes out to win. Whether he wins or not he always gives it 100 per cent and is always 100 per cent committed.
“There has been a massive roar when Adam comes out and this isn’t his own country. He has become a bit of a celebrity but I think that helps him swim as he has all of the crowd behind him. It is a great arena in Budapest as well.
“The family is extremely proud of him as now he has had to put in more work to stay where he is. He has had to make changes to his diet and routine. The whole GB team has done really well so far and the swimming team is getting stronger.”
Peaty is continuing to go from strength to strength in Budapest after he has cut more than three-tenths of a second off his own 50-metre breaststroke world record when he swam 26.10 seconds in the heats. His former record was 26.42 seconds in the 2015 World Championships. He will compete in the semi-final later today, July 25, between 5.30pm and 7.50pm.
The final will then be held tomorrow, July 26, between 5.50pm and 8.10pm.
It follows on from his triumph the previous day when he won the 100 -metre breaststroke final in 57.47 seconds, which is just outside of his world record of 57.13. He set this record when he won the 100-metre gold medal at the Rio Olympics last summer.
Peaty, of Uttoxeter , said after winning the 100-metre gold: “It's great to find areas where I can improve, that was the turn tonight. But I need to get another 57-low under my belt, and another one, and another one until I feel I can fully mature into that 56 comfortably.
“Maybe it will take that Tokyo environment to do that but if it comes, which it will, I know it will, it will definitely work.
“I'm still one-and-a-half seconds ahead of the rest of the world so I'm very happy with that."
Team GB will also be competing in the 4x100-metre mixed medley. Peaty was part of the team that won the world title two years ago.
