The China Mail - Ramsay-Peaty bounces back at Commonwealth Games after tearful outburst

Former Olympic champion Ramsay-Peaty was back in the pool less than 24 hours after breaking down in tears after only taking a bronze medal in the 100-metre breaststroke.

Since the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Ramsay-Peaty had taken time off due to mental health issues and also endured a high-profile family rift following his marriage to Holly Ramsay, daughter of the celebrity chef Gordon, in December.

Frustrated by his failure to perform to his high standards in Glasgow, the English swimmer said: "I'm not crying because it's a bronze instead of a gold. I'm crying because I know that the swim could have been better, and I know I worked way better than that.

"Something isn't hitting right. Whether it's the pace, whether it's the focus, I'm not sure.

"I'm like: 'What's the point of all the 5.30am starts? What's the point of being exhausted all the time? What's the point of having to say no to family events because you're training?"

The 31-year-old, who won gold at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, recovered from his emotional outburst to qualify fifth fastest for Sunday's semi-finals over the shorter distance.

Ramsay-Peaty's time of 27.27 seconds was enough to edge 18-year-old Filip Nowacki, who had beaten him to the silver medal 12 hours earlier, and finished just behind him in Sunday in 27.29.

But Ramsay-Peaty's time was comfortably eclipsed by Australia's Sam Williamson, the 100-metre winner, who won heat eight in a time of 26.75.

Ramsay-Peaty's qualifying time was also bettered by South African pair Michael Houlie and Chris Smith, as well as Namibia's Ronan Wantenaar.

Z.Ma--ThChM