Home

Swimming

“Money Does Not Buy Happiness” Olympic Gold Medalist Adam Peaty Shuts Down Critics Over Decision to Take A Break

Published 08/02/2021, 9:15 AM EDT

Follow Us

via Getty

Adam Peaty recently chose to publicly defend his decision of taking a break from competitive swimming. This came after his announcement to take some time to himself stating mental health concerns. He said on Twitter that “Money does not buy happiness,” implying that monetary gains are secondary to emotional fulfillment.

In order to reset, he plans to skip the International Swimming League (ISL), which begins next month. He was dismayed, however, by some of the negative comments he read in an article spotlighting his decision, insisting that the pressure he and his teammates have carried over the last six months is not typical of normal employment.

via Getty

The interview and his responses on Twitter

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“It is going to be a war of attrition over the next three years,” Peaty told the British Telegraph. “We’ve got three major championships next season, and you’ll see people who are falling off, who go all the way through ISL and world cups, by the time they get to Paris (for 2024 Olympics).”

The 26-year-old cited American gymnast Simone Biles and England batsman, Ben Stokes, as instances of how to strike a balance.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest Swimming stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Who is Adam Peaty?

via Getty

Adam Peaty is a competitive breaststroke swimmer from the United Kingdom. He won gold in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2016 Summer Olympics, the first by a male British swimmer in 24 years. Then he defended his title at the 2020 Summer Olympics in 2021, becoming the first British swimmer to do so. In the process, he also set the world record for 100m breaststroke swimming at the ISL at 55.41 seconds.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

USA’s Jessica Ramsey Fouls All 3 Times in a Huge Upset at Tokyo Olympics 2020

Sports have always represented the epitome of competitiveness and hard work. However, in the modern era of sports, several sportspersons realized that constant hard work and pressure can have a drastic impact on their mental health and well-being. After all, humans are not machines.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Humans are often fighting a war inside their heads that no one knows about. Yet, they are expected to maintain the standards and expectations set for them by society. It is extremely empowering and optimistic to see that athletes have realized that their well-being comes above money and fame.

WOW! Female Wrestler Adeline Gray Fights 3 Opponents in a Single Day to Guarantee a Medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Chaitanya Dadhwal

506Articles

One take at a time