Britain’s superstar swimmer Adam Peaty has revealed that a newfound faith in God helped him overcome alcohol misuse.
The breaststroker has started going to church every Sunday, he told Mail Sport, in order to help him become a better athlete and father.
He said: “It’s about being a better person. Not only being a better athlete and fulfilling my gift, but also being a better dad for George. There are so many other reasons. It gets quite deep. But it’s great to be a part of.”
After suffering a foot injury, resulting in surgery, Peaty was initially disappointed by his early performances at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. However, after clawing it back later in the competition, he walked away with two gold medals, to add to the one he already had at home.
After struggling with his mental health, he reached out to the Olympic chaplain Ashley Null.
He says the conversations with the priest had a huge impact in understanding his mental struggles.
Last year, Peaty split from the mother of his young son, and says his relationship with alcohol, and his depression, worsened.
He was also diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
"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," Peaty told BBC Sport.
He continued: "Hopefully when I get to the Olympics I will be in a very good mindset, very grateful and most importantly happy."
Peaty’s trophy cabinet is already bursting at the seams, with eight World Championship gold medals, 17 golds at European Championships and four golds at the Commonwealth Games.