Thought For The Day – Thursday 18th April 2024
Into The Light
The Olympics will, once again, see many inspirational athlete stories.
One U.K. athlete who has been on a particular journey is Adam Peaty O.B.E., a swimmer in the. breaststroke.
At the Rio Olympics, in 2016, Adam achieved a gold medal in 100 metre breaststroke, setting a world record. This was the first gold medal by a British swimmer for 24 years.
He would go on to break the world record 14 times in future years.
At the Tokyo Games in 2021, postponed by one year owing to the global pandemic, Adam Peaty won gold again, becoming the first British swimmer to retain an Olympic title.
Athletes and coaches speak of a four year Olympic cycle of preparation (the same could be said for examination students in school).
In this period, there can be very many physical and mental challenges for life, with its ups and downs, still continues.
Since 2021, Adam Peaty has had a number of challenges. He lost his unbeaten record of eight years in 2022, for example.
But his personal challenges have been far deeper than “the win/ loss column”. He is certainly not alone in this experience.
Over the holidays, Adam qualified to defend his Olympic title.
Adam Peaty feels his Christian faith has helped him see beyond the result, keep him grounded, offer unconditional support and be a better person.
An interview with Adam from this week: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/olympics/68800880
