Adam Ramsay‑Peaty’s heartfelt reaction to his performances at the Commonwealth Games has become a vivid illustration of just how much the event means to its competitors, according to former Olympic champion Dame Laura Kenny. The three‑time Olympic gold‑medallist in swimming was visibly moved after securing two bronze medals in this year’s scaled‑down Games – first in the 100‑metre breaststroke and later in the 50‑metre sprint.
Ramsay‑Peaty, who had gone eight consecutive years without losing the 100‑metre breaststroke, was clearly disappointed with his showing, confessing in post‑race interviews that "nothing makes sense" for him at that moment. While his candid comments sparked a mixed reaction among viewers, Kenny – a retired six‑time Olympic medalist on the bike – believes the swimmer displayed remarkable resilience by stepping back onto the pool deck under intense scrutiny and still managing to claim a podium place. "He was emotional after the first race, and to recover, regroup and then deliver a bronze in the second event takes a kind of inner strength on its own," Kenny told Sky Sports News.
"The raw emotion he displayed in those post‑race interviews underlines how deeply the Commonwealth Games matter to athletes." Kenny went on to explain that the pressure surrounding the Games is unique. Athletes are often expected to perform at a near‑heroic level, with the public and media assuming they will bring home gold each time they compete.
"You’re performing under the spotlight, you’re coming back from a career where you’ve been labelled a superhero, and the expectations are sky‑high," she said. "That kind of pressure, coupled with any personal issues that may be happening off the field, makes it a huge challenge to simply show up and deliver." The swimmer has recently faced a wave of personal headlines, ranging from his high‑profile marriage to Holly Ramsay – daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay – to a subsequent family dispute that attracted media attention. In the wake of those events, Ramsay‑Peaty pledged to let his swimming speak for itself, hoping to shift the conversation back to his sport.
However, his interviews after the bronze‑medal finishes drew criticism because he did not immediately congratulate the gold and silver medallists. Kenny acknowledged why some fans were upset, but she also offered empathy for the athlete’s state of mind.
"If I were in his shoes, I might have started by saying congratulations to the gold and silver winners," she admitted. "But in the heat of the moment, when you’re being questioned straight after a race, emotions run high and anything can slip out." The 2022 Commonwealth Games themselves have a story of resilience. Originally slated for Victoria, Australia, the event was relocated to Glasgow after the Australian organisers withdrew due to soaring costs.
The Scottish city stepped up, delivering a Games that featured only ten sports – a stark reduction from previous editions – and prompting concerns about the future viability of the multi‑sport gathering. Despite those worries, Kenny remains convinced of its importance.
"Athletes love to compete," she said, noting that the Games provide a rare platform where para‑athletes and able‑bodied athletes compete side by side. "If we were to scrap the Commonwealth Games, we would lose one of the final opportunities for athletes to experience a truly inclusive, multi‑sport environment." She highlighted another unique aspect: the separation of the home nations.
Unlike the Olympics, where athletes from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland compete under a single British flag, the Commonwealth Games allow each nation to field its own team. "It’s special to represent Team England, Team Scotland, or Team Wales – it adds a layer of national pride that you don’t get in other global events," Kenny explained. "That sense of identity fuels the athletes’ desire to perform." Kenny also pointed out the practical side of the Games for athletes funded by the National Lottery and other bodies. These athletes rely on a calendar of events to justify their training programmes and financial support.
Removing the Commonwealth Games would create a gap in that schedule, potentially limiting exposure and competitive experience for many. "You have a whole cohort of athletes who train year‑round, and the Commonwealth Games are a key milestone for them," she said.
"Taking it off the calendar would be a disservice to their development and to the sport as a whole." In summary, both Ramsay‑Peaty’s emotional display and Kenny’s commentary underscore a larger truth: the Commonwealth Games are more than just another competition. They are a crucible where personal ambition, national pride, and the weight of public expectation intersect. For athletes like Ramsay‑Peaty, who have spent years shouldering the mantle of a world‑class champion, the Games provide a moment to confront vulnerability, demonstrate resilience, and remind the world that behind every medal lies a human story of struggle, triumph, and perseverance.
The event’s continued existence, despite financial and logistical hurdles, remains vital for preserving that narrative and for offering a stage where athletes from diverse backgrounds can compete together, inspire each other, and celebrate the spirit of sport.