“I’d rather have my faith and my relationship with Jesus and come second than have gold,” Adam Peaty told The Times reporter Robert Wilson. Entering the Paris Olympics, Team GB’s breaststroke champion was poised for a historic treble. But in a heart-stopping finish, Peaty touched the wall just 0.02 seconds too late, earning a silver medal. The day after his second-place finish in the 100m breaststroke, Team GB announced that Peaty had contracted COVID-19.

Would Peaty have clinched the historic gold if not for the virus? For the 29-year-old, the question is irrelevant. Faith has granted him peace. He knows he gave the race his all and walks away with no regrets. Yet, there’s another reason for Peaty’s newfound serenity: Holly Anna Ramsay.

Had this been the Adam Peaty of Tokyo, missing out on the treble would have been devastating. But beyond his faith, his relationship with Gordon Ramsay’s daughter has transformed his outlook. “She’s been pinnacle… I can have peace and I can have that kind of love where it’s not defined by anything else other than the connection that we have,” Peaty shared with The Times.

Peaty’s journey in Paris wasn’t just about the medals. It was about the strength he found in faith and the love that redefined his life.

In fact, the swimmer’s focus on competitive swimming no longer revolves around gold medals. “I’d rather get silver and have someone to share it with than gold and be on my own.” added the 6x Olympic swimmer. After breaking up with the mother of his son George, the Olympian experienced a downward spiral that plunged him into depression. A devastating leg injury only compounded the problem.

However, things changed for the better as his relationship with “Holl” grew deeper. The fact that Ramsay developed a close connection with George only made things better for the swimmer. So despite COVID-19 taking away his record, the swimmer has no regrets. Instead, the 6x breaststroke world is proud he could win a medal in front of his son. Interestingly, Peaty isn’t eat only athlete whose spirit the virus couldn’t break.

Noah Lyles and Adam Peaty were in the same boat

The only difference between Noah Lyles and Adam Peaty was the fact that Lyles knew he had COVID-19 before the competition. Just as Peaty was on the cusp of making Olympic history, Noah Lyles was on the cusp of pulling off the Olympic sprint double. As the third-fastest man across 200m, Lyles was the favorite to become the first American to repeat Carl Lewis’s legendary feat.

Yet, right before the race, a fatigued 100m gold medalist stared at a positive COVID-19 test. Yet, he ran and earned the bronze medal. “It’s taken its toll for sure, but I’ve never been prouder of myself for coming out here and getting the bronze medal,” said Lyles. The champion sprinter’s words mirrored those of Adam Peaty.

While neither of the Olympians made history, they were proud to have given it their best shot. Meanwhile, Adam Peaty didn’t give any hints about where he plans to take his swimming career from this point. However, he did tell The Times about looking forward to an exciting future with Holly Anna Ramsay.