Team GB’s Adam Peaty has opened up about his faith after winning a silver medal in the men’s 100m butterfly on Sunday evening.

Fresh out of the pool, a breathless but beaming Peaty told BBC Sport: “I gave my absolute all there. In my heart I’ve already won.

“These are happy tears. I’m not crying because I’ve come second, I’m crying because it took so much to get here.

“I’m a very religious man, and I asked God to show my heart, and this is my heart. I couldn’t have done more.”

Escaping gold by only two-hundredths of a second, Peaty tied with Team USA’s Nic Fink for second place. He maintains the world record for breastroke, of 56.88 seconds at the World Aquatics Championships in 2019. 

The swimming star has been open about his struggles in recent years, and, having battled “three years of hell” with depression and alcoholism after the Tokyo Olympics, Peaty turned to Christ.

The human rights situation in Laos is poor, with all religious activity heavily monitored and restricted at both the local and national levels of government. 

The government is also not consistent in how it administers the freedoms it provides to those groups who are officially registered. 

For example, in February 2024 a church building was destroyed in Kaleum Vangke village on the orders of one of the village elders despite the fact the government had granted the Protestant group the right to gather.

We can respond by praying, in faith, knowing that it can and will make a difference.

CSW July 24