I'm not interested in a few athletes winning medals on bits of ribbon.
I think those athletes inspire so many young people to try to achieve their best, even if their best is not to Olympic standard.
rosesarered how right you are about the griping.
GillT57 I think Adam Peaty's mother used to get up at about 4 am, take him to swimming, get home and get ready for a day's work.
When he also started training at Repton School, rather than at Uttoxeter Leisure Centre – the establishment which could soon carry his name – he was reliant on his mother Caroline for a lift (his father Mark does not drive).
"My mum was like: 'There is no way we can do that,'" Peaty once said.
"Financially, it was a lot to spend on petrol – about £100 a week – and she works as a nursery manager near Stoke.
"I was used to walking down to the pool in Uttoxeter twice a week and it was a massive change financially and lifestyle-wise."
His mother said:
‘It was really hard getting up at 4am, taking him swimming for 5am, then coming home, dropping him off, having breakfast, getting ready for work, doing a full day’s work, then going training at night,’ his mum told the BBC.
‘But it was hard going for Adam because he had school and all the exams but he stuck with it. He was the one who dragged me, not the other way round.
‘He never complained about getting up. If I wanted to stay in bed another hour, he’d say: “Come on mum, champions aren’t made in bed!”
Money was tight, so their neighbours organised fund-raising barbecues and Christmas parties in the street, to pay for the petrol when he took part in national competitions.
*Eventually, he secured National Lottery funding of around £15,000 a year, which has risen to £30,000.*
Well done Adam!! and all the others who have worked so hard over the years at their sports, represented our country so well and inspired so many other youngsters.
No-one has to buy a Lottery ticket by the way. It's not compulsory.