- British swimmer
Adam Peaty dropped the f-word on live TV twice after retaining Olympic gold. - The 26-year-old won the 100m breaststroke gold in Tokyo, five years on from his victory at Rio 2016.
- Peaty said he was "f---ing relieved" and that he won because he "f---ing" wanted it more.
"I'm just so f---ing relieved."
Those were the words of Adam Peaty after he became the first British swimmer in history to successfully defend an Olympic gold medal.
Peaty, 26, powered to the 100 meter breaststroke gold in Tokyo on Monday, finishing in a time of 57.37 seconds, six tenths clear of the rest of the field.
Five years ago at Rio 2016, Peaty won gold in the same event, setting a world record in the final with a time of 57.13 seconds.
"I haven't felt this good since 2016," the Team GB star confessed after his win at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. "It just means the world to me.
"I thought I had the best preparation of my life, but then you throw in morning finals and you throw that all out the window.
"And that's really what it takes to be an athlete, it's not who is the best all year round but who is the best on the day. The best person on the day, who is the most adaptable, and really, who f---ing wants it more.
"It just means the world to me. I knew it was going to take every bit of energy and I'm just so f---ing relieved. Apologies for the swearing."
-Team GB (@TeamGB) July 26, 2021
Peaty was the clear favorite heading into Tokyo, with the Brit having not lost over 100 meters in more than seven years.
In addition to his gold in Rio de Janeiro, Peaty has won the 100 meters breaststroke at each of the last three World Championships and has broken the world record five times.
His win in Tokyo means he now owns the 16 quickest times over the distance in history, and is the only swimmer ever to record a time under 57 seconds.
"I want to say thank you to the nation for being behind me for the last five years and thank you to my family, my gorgeous partner and my gorgeous son," said Peaty, whose son, George, was born in September. "He's probably watching somewhere with his two teeth.
"When I was in the last 15m, it wasn't me, it was my family, my nation, my blood, sweat and tears.
"My bad moments, my good moments - every little bit when into that swim and it's paid off. I'll take these moments for the rest of my life."