Adam Peaty’s estranged family has hit back at the Olympic swimmer following his remarks about their ongoing family rift.
This comes after his interviews at the Commonwealth Games sparked renewed anger.
The swimmer appeared to be referring to his estrangement from parents Caroline and Mark when he alluded to the ‘s***’ he had been through this year, which he blamed for a tired display in his specialist event, winning a bronze medal instead of the expected gold.
Hours later, a relative hit back, saying: ‘The hurt you feel over a medal does not compare to the hurt you have caused your mother.’
The three-time Olympic champion was supported in Glasgow by his wife Holly Ramsay, 26, who is pregnant with their first child – with their relationship having apparently been the cause of his fallout with his wider family.
These Games represent the first time his parents, from Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, have not been poolside cheering him on at a major event, with them reportedly being excluded from watching him compete.
A family source, speaking on condition of anonymity: ‘Adam is playing the blame game now. The “woe is me” card.’
they went on: ‘Just take accountability for your own actions for once, Adam, instead of blaming us.
‘The hurt you feel over a medal does not compare to the hurt your mother felt when she said she did not want to be on this planet any more…
‘The hurt you inflicted on her when you stopped her from seeing her grandson [from a previous relationship] out of spite, who she loves with every fibre of her being, and stopped from watching you marry.
‘You made comments to friends that we would try and disrupt your games. We haven’t been there. To blame us for your failure is not right Adam.
‘Don’t blame your family for your bronze. You need to look closer to home and in the mirror.’
They added: ‘You are having a crisis of conscience. Shame on you all. Blame yourself for isolating yourself from the support network that has been there since you were born.’
Adam’s remarks apparently blaming his former loved ones for his bronze also caused a backlash against him on social media.
The 31-year-old had hoped to win gold in the 100m breaststroke on Saturday night at the Tollcross International Centre in Glasgow, but came third to winner Australian Sam Williamson, 28, and runner-up Filip Nowacki, 18, from Jersey.
In the interview after his defeat, a visibly upset Adam acknowledged the family feud and said the fallout ‘has taken its toll’.
