James Guy To Adam Peaty: Your Performance Does Not Define Who You Are
James Guy urged Adam Peaty not to let his results as a swimmer define him after the double Olympic champion finished outside the medals in the 100m breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games.
Peaty declared himself ‘heartbroken’ after finishing fourth at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre on Sunday night as his English teammate James Wilby claimed the title.
It was the eight-time world champion’s first defeat over 100br since he was beaten by Ross Murdoch at the British Championships in April 2014.
Since his victory at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Peaty has been utterly dominant but a fractured foot proved to be his undoing.
Peaty returned to the water on Monday morning where he qualified joint first for the 50 semis on little more than two hours’ sleep following a “devastating night”.
Photo Courtesy: Swim England
It was Guy who Peaty turned to, with the triple Olympic gold medallist telling a throng of reporters:
“Jimmy last night said ‘mate, don’t let the swimming define you’.
“It was kind of like a light switch. As sportspeople we always think our results define us and the whole world sees us as our results.
“But you know what, I have still done what I’ve done over the last eight years, still won every single championships, done all the world records – that hasn’t taken away from me, I’ve had one bad day at the office.”
Guy has had a career that has spanned highs and lows, the latter forcing him to learn painful lessons which he in turn passed on to his friend and teammate.
The two-time Olympic relay champion told Swimming World:
“I was chatting to him and he was a bit upset and I was like ‘mate, this is the one bad swim you’ve had in about 10 years’.
“You’re more than just a swimmer, it’s just a part of our journey, our career.
“Think about all the fourths I’ve got and not making the podium.
“Don’t let swimming define who you are – one bad race, it’s just a bad day at the office.
“We’ve all been there, don’t over-think it for goodness sake.”
James Guy: Photo Courtesy: Georgie Kerr, British Swimming
Guy, who won bronze in the 200 fly on Sunday, roomed with Peaty at Rio 2016, their apartment one that embodied the juxtaposition of joy and despair.
Guy, who is coached by Dave McNulty at Bath National Training Centre, was sixth in the 400 free in Rio before finishing fourth in the 200 – in which he was the reigning world champion – behind two men who were subsequently handed doping bans in the form of Sun Yang and Conor Dwyer.
He said:
“I was devastated. But looking back now everything happens for a reason.
“I said to him: when you look back at it, this meet isn’t a fast meet, it just isn’t. The times aren’t that quick, they just aren’t.”
Guy was speaking after progressing from the 100 fly heats in 52.49 with Canadian Josh Liendo the only man inside 52secs in 51.36.
That follows his bronze in the 200 fly of which Guy said:
“It was nice to be on the podium, at a home Games – probably my last Commonwealth Games – so it was good to get on the podium with the boys.
“I had my girlfriend and my brother there as well and the crowd were fantastic.”
He’ll join an expected Team England line-up of Tom Dean, Jacob Whittle and Joe Litchfield for the 4x200m freestyle relay on Monday evening, an event which has brought much global success in recent years.
“It is a belting squad. It’s going to be a tough race tonight but I think we’ll definitely get on the podium but what colour we don’t really know yet. It’ll be an interesting race.”
GOOOD
James was 100% correct. The value of friendship should never be underestimated – kindness is a superpower. Well done James, and – Adam and James – your country remains proud of you both, an example to many!!!!!!
Wise words James, you country is proud of both you and Adam. Stay strong!