Adam Peaty: Three-time Olympic champion says gold medals will not solve his problems with Paris 2024 on horizon

Great Britain's three-time Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty says gold medals will not solve his problems. The five-time Olympic medallist picked up two golds and a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as well as a gold and silver at Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Ad Peaty defended his 100m breaststroke title in Tokyo and has also set a record for the 20 fastest times in history over the distance.

His world record is almost a full second quicker than anyone else has ever swum. Olympic Games'I've been on a self-destructive spiral' — Peaty aiming for Paris glory after setbacks24/04/2023 AT 08:21 The 28-year-old pulled out of the British Championships in April citing mental health issues and was not included in Great Britain's World Aquatics Championships squad. He has previously said he has been in a «self-destructive spiral».

Peaty has said he wants to compete at the Olympics in Paris next year as he chases a third straight 100m title, but admits he does not feel achieving gold medals is the solution for improving his mental health. «A good friend of mine said a gold medal is the coldest thing you will ever wear,» Peaty told the BBC. «It's the coldest thing because you think it will fix all of your problems.

It will not.» Peaty has previously spoken of his struggles with injury, motivation and the breakdown of his relationship with the mother of his young son. He says he is using his time now to get into a mental state where he is ready to compete at the Olympics next year. «I took a break because I was on this endless search of a gold medal or a world record and I looked into the future and I said 'OK, if I do get that is my life fixed or any better?' No.