Adam Peaty is back in the pool with his sights set on Olympic redemption in Los Angeles 2028.
The three-time Olympic champion, who contemplated retirement both before and after securing silver in Paris, returns to competition this week at the London Aquatics Centre. This marks a pivotal moment in his ambitious journey toward a fourth Olympic appearance.
"The next two years are probably going to be the hardest of my career," Peaty revealed in a recent interview. "There probably won't be much winning, but the one win that does matter is LA."
Peaty's decision to continue was solidified nearly a year ago, coinciding with the announcement that the 50m breaststroke will debut at the 2028 Games. This offers him a fresh opportunity to add another individual gold to his 100m titles from 2016 and 2021.
He describes the allure of the Olympics with a vivid analogy: "It's like tasting an amazing steak and then having to go back to a McDonald's burger. The Olympics is the one that excites me. That is the one that really gets me out of bed every day, the one I dream of."
This week's British Championships serve as a critical stepping stone, with Peaty competing in both the 50m and 100m events to build momentum for upcoming Commonwealth, World, and European Championships.
Reflecting on his Paris performance, where he was defeated by Italy's Nicolo Martinenghi after battling coronavirus before the final, Peaty remains proud: "With the cards I was dealt I swam out of my skin. I shouldn't have got a silver medal."
The champion also opened up about overcoming past struggles with injury and mental health, which he once described as a "self-destructive spiral." He is now confident in managing the pressures of elite sport.
"Can we avoid burnout? Absolutely," he asserts. "It is the logistical and strategic thinking we have to do. I look at my life without sport and I wouldn't be 5% of the man I am... With sport giving me what it has given, the price is the price."
As he embarks on this demanding two-year path, Peaty's focus is unwavering: "We have to set that path now. Two years out, it is about how much racing and experience can we gather to give the best performance in LA."