Ramsay-Peaty’s new perspective
Adam Ramsay-Peaty, a prominent swimmer, secured his second bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The latest medal came in the 50m breaststroke final, following an earlier bronze in the 100m breaststroke. At 31, Ramsay-Peaty reflected on a shift in his approach to competitive swimming, stating his focus is now “human first, then athlete.” This marks a change from a previous period where he described himself as “athlete first, then human.”
Despite his recent achievements, Ramsay-Peaty admitted to feeling some frustration with his performances. He noted that data from training and throughout the season had indicated an upward trend, yet he felt he had lost some “power per stroke.” He acknowledged that “something is not clicking” but maintained a positive outlook, considering two bronze medals in his first championship since Paris a success, especially with relays still to come.
In the 50m breaststroke final, Ramsay-Peaty needed a late surge to secure his bronze, finishing in 26.94sec, just 0.01 seconds ahead of Chris Smith of South Africa. This time was 0.99sec off his world record. Sam Williamson of Australia won gold in 26.50, adding to his 100m breaststroke triumph, while Michael Houlie of South Africa took silver in 26.77.
Goodburn’s inspiring return
During the same event, Scotland’s Archie Goodburn received a significant ovation from the crowd despite finishing tied last. Goodburn, who is 25, competed at the Games two years after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. His presence and positive attitude resonated with spectators and fellow athletes alike.
Goodburn shared that the reception was “monumental” and exceeded his expectations. He has been diagnosed with oligodendrogliomas, a type of brain tumour that accounts for approximately 3% of all primary brain tumours. This diagnosis means he may have only a decade to live, but he has committed himself to raising awareness about the condition.
Reflecting on his journey, Goodburn spoke about overcoming “really tough times,” particularly his mental state a year prior. He expressed gratitude for the support from his friends, family, and the University of Edinburgh, which helped him achieve his current position. Last year, Goodburn began a new treatment called Vorasidenib, designed to slow the spread of cancer, which has delayed the need for chemotherapy.
Goodburn’s advocacy extends beyond his personal battle; he aims to inspire “future Archies” who aspire to compete internationally, as well as young patients and individuals under 40 living with brain cancer. He highlighted that brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for people under 40 in the UK, and he believes advocacy groups are making a difference in addressing this issue.
Other notable performances
The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have seen several other athletes achieve success. England’s Luke Whitehouse secured a gold medal in the gymnastics floor event with a score of 14.566. Earlier, Scotland’s Reuben Ward, 21, became the Glasgow 2026 all-around champion in gymnastics, fulfilling a long-held dream inspired by watching Dan Keatings win gold 12 years ago.
In other swimming events, England’s Brock Whiston won gold in the women’s 100m breaststroke SB8, though Australia claimed seven of the nine swimming golds. On the opening night of athletics, England’s Sophie Hahn and Thomas Young both won gold medals. Scotland’s Ben Sandilands also secured gold in the men’s 1500m T20.
The Games have also seen success for other home nations athletes, including England’s Abigail Martin, who won vault silver, and Scotland’s Reuben Ward and Cameron Lynn, who earned silver and bronze respectively in the pommel horse. Wales’ Emily Roper claimed uneven bars bronze, following her twin sister Abigail’s vault bronze. In weightlifting, England’s Chris Murray won a bronze medal in the men’s 79kg category. Additionally, England defeated Malawi 73-38 in netball’s Pool A.
Source: theguardian.com