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“I’m tired, I’m not myself and I’m not enjoying the sport as I have for the last decade,” Adam Peaty has withdrawn from next month’s British Swimming Championships in Sheffield for mental health reasons.

Swimmer Adam Peaty has admitted he “doesn’t enjoy the sport”

Triple Olympic gold medalist Adam Peaty has withdrawn from the British Swimming Championships for mental health reasons.

The 28-year-old said he is “not enjoying the sport” as he has previously and will not compete in next month’s championships in Sheffield.

Peaty believes his decision will help him prepare for next year’s Paris Olympics, where he hopes to defend the 100-meter breaststroke and 4×100-meter medley gold medals he won at Tokyo 2020.

Peaty wrote on his social media accounts: “Everyone wants to sit in their seat until they have to sit in their seat… very few people understand what winning and success does to an individual’s mental health. They don’t understand the pressures these individuals put on themselves to win over and over again.

“As some people may know, I have struggled with my mental health in recent years and I think it’s important to be honest about it.

“I am tired, I am not myself and I am not enjoying the sport as I have for the last decade.

“Some may recognize it as burnout; I just know that in recent years I haven’t had the answers. With help, I now know how I can address the imbalance in my life.

Peaty plans to defend the 100m breaststroke and 4x100m medley golds at the Paris Olympics

“While I continue to train, I have decided to withdraw from the British Swimming Championships next month. This is for the sole purpose of delivering the best possible performance in Paris at the 2024 Olympic Games.”

“I am enormously grateful for all the support I receive from my team and family at British Swimming along with my amazing sponsors, family and friends.

“As always, I thank the swimming community and beyond for the incredible support I have always received.

“This sport has given me everything I am and I can’t wait to find the love I have for it again.”

Peaty suffered a setback in 2022 after breaking his foot in a freak training accident, but was able to recover in time and compete at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last summer.

At a mixed Games, he finished fourth in the 100 m breaststroke, his first loss in the event in eight years, but rallied 48 hours later to win gold over the 50 m distance.

If you are affected by issues related to mental well-being or want to talk, please contact the Samaritans on the free helpline 116 123, or visit the website