British Swimmer Came Back from Rock Bottom for His Son
By Movieguide® Contributor
Olympic British swimmer Adam Peaty looked to God after he competed in the 100m backstroke event that left millions in shock.
“Even for a sport in which the difference between first place and third place is often mere tenths of a second, Sunday’s sprint through the water was one of the closest races in recent Olympic history,” Sports Spectrum reported. “When the official times came in, Nicolo Martinenghi of Italy earned gold, while Adam Peaty of Great Britain and Nic Fink of the United States tied for silver. All eight swimmers finished within a second of each other.”
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After the race, Peaty credited his Father in Heaven for the reward.
“I’m a very religious man,” he explained. “I asked God just to show my heart, and this is my heart. I couldn’t have done more.”
Peaty told the BBC that even though he finished second, it feels like he still took home the gold.
“I feel like I’ve still won,” he said. “That’s the beauty of it. My heart, I put my all into it and I couldn’t have put in any more.”
In the Tokyo Olympics, Peaty won gold in the 100m backstroke. He later broke his foot, sending the athlete into a downward spiral.
He battled with “alcohol abuse and mental health, and he was diagnosed with depression and ADHD. He also faced relational strife with the mother of his now-3-year-old son, George.”
However, they seem to have reconciled, and Peaty shared a sweet moment with George after the race when he told his dad that he loved him.
“Anyone who has got kids will know, you love them with all your life,” Peaty told BBC. “You have these moments where you have to prove yourself, and I think I proved myself tonight.”
“I did this for my son. These whole 14 months have been to show you can literally bottom of the bottom and come back and medal,” he said.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths,” he posted on Instagram, quoting Proverbs 3:5-6.
