Team GB’s first gold medal of the Rio 2016 Olympics was won by Adam Peaty in pool, and the 21-year-old says that his medal was for Queen and country.
The breaststroke swimmer from Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, is the first Brit to win a gold in swimming since Adrian Moorhouse at the 1988 Seoul games. Moorhouse also won in the 100m breaststroke.
“That was always in the back of my mind – 20 years is a very long time,” Peaty said. “I knew that to be the first Briton to do that would be an honour.
“But going into this race I was so composed and calm. I wasn’t even thinking about that. Now I have done it, it is an absolute honour to get that gold for Team GB. It’s so surreal.
Adam then went on to sing his home country’s praises – and that of the Royal Family: “Nothing means more to me than racing for my country, The Queen, the Royal Family and the people back home that support me.
“It was absolutely amazing and definitely the best feeling I’ve ever had.”
In another quote after his race, Peaty said: “It makes it all worthwhile. For all the times that you want to go back to bed at 4am.
“I’m so proud to be British. I’d like to thank the Royal family and everything that makes me proud to be British.”
Adam was the favourite to win the event; he won the world title in Kazan last year. But his success doesn’t stop with his Rio gold medal: during the qualifiers on Friday, Peaty broke the world record with his swim of 57.55, and then AGAIN on Sunday when he won gold, at 57.13 seconds.
We are very proud of you, Adam! Go Team GB!
