Swimming star Adam Peaty praises Derby College for ‘amazing’ support
With his sights firmly fixed on next week’s European Championships, swimming sensation Adam Peaty has had little time to relax since returning from the 2014 Commonwealth Games with two gold medals and a silver.
And, once the Europeans in Berlin are out of the way, he will be busy preparing for a foundation degree in sports coaching at Derby College’s Johnson Building, which starts this September.
The 19-year old, who recently completed a two-year BTEC diploma in sport and exercise sciences at Derby College, is looking forward to furthering his sports education while relentlessly pursuing his tough training schedule.
Adam had a superb Commonwealth Games, breaking the British and Commonwealth Record to take gold in the men’s 100m breaststroke as well as helping the men’s 4x100m medley relay team to gold in what was a new games record time.
With his Glasgow medals tally also including silver in the men’s 50m backstroke, Adam is now hotly tipped for podium success at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
The Uttoxeter swimmer, who attributes his latest achievements to good old fashioned hard work, cannot praise Derby College enough for its support as he has sought to fulfil his ambitions in the pool.
He said: “My lecturers have been amazing. They fully understand how important my training is to me, and when I’ve been struggling to complete work on time they’ve allowed me an extension on it.
“I get up at 4am every day and finish training at around 8.30am, which gives me time to get to college for 9.20am.”
Adam, who divides his training sessions between Repton School, Loughborough and the City Of Derby swimming club, is looking forward to starting his foundation degree.
He added: “I can highly recommend the sports courses on offer at Derby College. The BTEC was definitely the right course for someone like me who is involved in sport.
“I haven’t thought about what I intend to do with my degree yet, but it will be a good qualification to have.”