Adam Peaty’s tattoos explained and how many he has including 'H' on chest (2024)

Adam Peaty is one of Team GB's top medal hopes (Image: Getty)

Adam Peaty is known for his array of tattoos, each one holding a unique significance to the swimmer. Tattoos have become a popular trend among sports stars and athletes in recent years, with many choosing to get permanent ink to commemorate key moments in their careers.

For instance, heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has the Team GB Lion tattooed between his shoulder blades as a tribute to his gold medal win at the 2012 London Olympics. Numerous other Olympians have the iconic rings permanently etched onto their bodies.

Double Olympic 100m breaststroke champion Peaty is no exception, boasting several tattoos that reflect his swimming career. These will all be on display as the 29-year-old pursues further Olympic success at the Paris Games.

But what are these tattoos and what do they signify? Express Sport delves into the details...

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Lion (left shoulder)

On his left shoulder, Peaty sports a large lion tattoo, a nod to his first Olympic gold medal won at the Rio Games in 2016. The black and grey image is one of Peaty's larger pieces, featuring the Roman numerals XXVI beneath it, representing 2016, the year he clinched the medal and set a world-record 100m breaststroke time of 57.13 seconds.

Olympic rings (left bicep)

Peaty's body is adorned with ink that pays homage to his Olympic victories, including the iconic Olympic rings tattooed on his left bicep and the word "equilibrium", symbolising the need for harmony in life to reach peak performance.

Poseidon (left arm)

On his left arm, Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, is etched as a testament to his affinity with the water. A representation of his swimming prowess and dedication, this piece is completed with the inscriptions reading "Courage, Integrity, and Belief".

Peaty is covered in ink, each one representing something different (Image: Getty)

Athena and Achilles (left arm)

The swimmer also sports tattoos of Athena and Achilles on the same arm. These figures from Greek lore stand for wisdom, skills, warfare and the relentless spirit of a warrior chasing glory, mirroring Peaty's own determination.

Warrior (right shoulder)

Onto his right shoulder, he brandishes the image of a Spartan warrior with a shield, alongside an inscription in Latin.

Conquer your demons sword (right arm)

Descending further down Peaty's right arm is a sword accompanied by the empowering message "Conquer your demons", a personal nod to the athlete's public battle with mental health issues. This statement encapsulates his overcoming of personal challenges through faith and the support of his partner, Holly Ramsay.

Adam Peaty has numerous tattoos with a variety of meanings (Image: Getty)

Religious marks (torso)

The centre of his torso is adorned with a cross in outline form accompanied by the script "into the light" just below. This tattoo likely signifies the swimmer's Christian faith following what appears to have been a spiritual awakening. Additionally, this ink could symbolise his achievements, as success is often metaphorically referred to as "the light".

'H' (chest)

Marked on Peaty's chest is a discreet "H", a loving homage to his girlfriend, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's daughter. The pair's romance ignited after Peaty's stint on the 2021 series of Strictly Come Dancing, where he danced alongside Tilly Ramsay, Holly's sister. In a reciprocal gesture, Holly sports an "A" in ink behind her ear.

Fuel and Ride (fingers)

On his fingers, Peaty bears the words "Fuel" and "Ride". More than mere body art, these tattoos serve as a perpetual reminder of his disappointing fourth-place finish in the 100m breaststroke at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.