Adam Peaty has qualified for the Commonwealth Games 100m breaststroke final, with his pregnant wife Holly Ramsay in attendance to support him. Peaty, competing under his newly adopted double-barrelled surname Ramsay-Peaty, secured his place in the final after winning his heat and progressing through the semifinals. His wife Holly, who announced last month they are expecting a baby girl, was seen in the stands displaying her baby bump.
Ramsay-Peaty's heat experienced a brief delay when a lane rope detached, requiring an official to enter the pool to fix it. Despite the interruption, he posted the fastest qualifying time of the morning, 59.46 seconds. This marks Peaty's fourth Commonwealth Games, having won his first medals in Glasgow in 2014. He described the current Games as a 'full circle moment' as he aims to regain peak form following a challenging 2023, during which he withdrew from events to focus on his mental health.
"Job done, really," Peaty told TNT Sports after his heat. "We've got a busy two weeks coming up, so we're reserving energy where we can." He reflected on his journey since his first Commonwealth Games, noting, "Last time I was here, I was very young. We barely had any world records to my name... so it's been a very long journey."
Peaty's decision to compete with the Ramsay-Peaty surname follows his marriage to Holly, daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, in December. However, the Games are overshadowed by ongoing family estrangement. Peaty's parents did not attend the wedding and are reportedly not present at the Commonwealth Games due to a falling out. Earlier this month, reports indicated a rift between Peaty's pregnant sister, Bethany, and Holly, with Adam reportedly attempting to mediate.
The family conflict appears to stem from events in late 2024, including Peaty and Holly not inviting wider members of the Peaty family to their engagement party. Caroline Peaty, Adam's mother, was also reportedly not invited to Holly's hen do, while Holly's mother and friends attended.
This personal drama unfolds as Peaty seeks to reaffirm his dominance in the swimming world, with the LA 2028 Olympics also in his sights.