EXCLUSIVE: The woman who has accused current San Jose State University (SJSU) head volleyball coach Todd Kress of attacking her in a hotel room has come forward with her first statements since the allegations went public. Kress is widely known for overseeing the controversial 2024 season that was overshadowed by a trans athlete scandal involving Blaire Fleming and female teammate Brooke Slusser.

The woman, who previously played for Kress at Fairfield University, informed SJSU officials in October 2024 of her alleged experience with the coach.

“SJSU has known I feared for the safety of the women in the program since October of 2024 and yet they have allowed Todd to continue to coach and travel with the team,” she told Fox News Digital on the condition of anonymity.

“I informed both Fairfield and SJSU of my 1998 encounter with Todd after reading accounts of young women on the 2024 SJSU team describing his intimidation, coercive, and manipulative behaviors.

“Why don’t some women come forward after being assaulted by those in positions of power? It’s a fair question. One needs to look no further than the situation at SJSU.”

INSIDE THE FALLOUT OF THE SJSU VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL: ‘THIS IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM’

Kress’s alleged victim is speaking out two weeks after the allegations were first reported.

Neither SJSU nor Kress has addressed the allegations since then despite multiple inquiries, and the coach has made multiple social media posts boasting his new recruiting class in that time as well.

Fox News Digital reported on July 7 that during the SJSU volleyball trans athlete scandal’s peak in the fall of 2024, administrators received an email from the woman in October of that year. The email included a letter to Fairfield that included the allegations that Kress attacked the player in a hotel room in 1998.

Emails obtained by Fox News Digital via an independent verified source show that SJSU officials acknowledged the receipt of the allegations, met with the former Fairfield player and her lawyer, thanked her for coming forward and even apologized for her experiences.

Fox News Digital submitted a public records request to SJSU seeking emails related to an investigation of those allegations, but the request was denied, with SJSU citing privacy exemptions and attorney-client privilege.

“Did SJSU investigate my complaint? They were given information that would have allowed them to corroborate my claims. Their refusal to release their investigative steps and final determination allows for much speculation,” the former player added.

“My singular motivation was a hope that in bringing to the attention of school administrators what Todd did to me, they might act to protect young women. I trusted the system and chose to operate without public attention.”

Fox News Digital has verified her identity and that she played for Kress at Fairfield in 1998.

Slusser, who played under Kress for two seasons in 2023-24, previously told Fox News Digital that she and other teammates in 2024 were not told of the allegations that fall.

“The school gave us absolutely zero information. This was never brought up once,” Slusser said. Slusser is currently suing SJSU for her own alleged experience playing under Kress and alongside Fleming.

The alleged incident involving Kress and the former Fairfield player occurred in a hotel after Fairfield’s loss to Clemson in the first round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament in December, according to her letter.

Part of the letter alleges, “He immediately took caramel from a plastic container and smeared it all over my face and hair. He then forcibly threw me on the bed and held me down. I was in shock. He let go of me and then pulled his pants down and put his back side in my face.

SJSU DIDN’T PENALIZE VOLLEYBALL COACH DURING TRANS SCANDAL AMID TITLE IX COMPLAINTS, FEDERAL FINDINGS ALLEGE

“Todd again grabbed me, picked me up, and threw me into the bathtub where he held me down and threatened to turn on the shower with me laying there to ‘clean the caramel off of my face.’ At this point I was fighting back to get away from him.

“Todd let me get out of the tub, laughing, and then he stood in front of the door blocking my exit. Todd told me he would only let me leave if I took a shot of liquor, which I did only to get him to move away from the door. Once he did, I ran for it. He chased me. I got into my room and although he seemed to be in a rage, he turned and calmly walked out,” the letter alleges.

Fox News Digital has sent multiple inquiries to Kress, SJSU and the California State University system (CSU) for a response to the allegations and the player’s latest statements, but none of the parties has addressed the issue.

The allegations have been public for 14 days.

A U.S. Department of Education (ED) Title IX investigation into SJSU over the transgender scandal determined that the university allegedly made the decision to not suspend or relieve its head volleyball coach during the team’s 2024 transgender scandal, despite Title IX-related complaints against the coach. The investigation’s findings made no mention of the former Fairfield player and her letter.

The findings do not mention the coach by name, but Fox News Digital reasonably believes the figure titled “Coach 2” in the findings to be Kress.

“Additional notes indicate the decision to not suspend Coach 2 also included the improper consideration: ‘If we relieve him… [w]e could also spark more media attention…. ‘ University records indicate University officials, including the President of the University, agreed to not suspend Coach 2 because they felt his suspension would unduly disrupt the team,” the findings state.

However, the investigation did not disclose what those complaints were, and SJSU and the CSU are suing the department to challenge those findings.

Meanwhile, former associated head coach Melissa Batie-Smoose was suspended and later did not have her contract renewed, after submitting a Title IX complaint over the team’s alleged handling of Fleming and the women on the team in 2024. Batie-Smoose is waging a wrongful termination lawsuit against SJSU.

SJSU has withheld relevant records and has not responded to questions

Fox News Digital recently submitted a public records request to SJSU seeking emails related to SJSU’s investigation of the allegations against Kress, but the request was denied.

“SJSU has conducted a reasonable search for these records under California Government Code §7922.535 and has determined the requested records are not disclosable under the Public Records Act,” the SJSU public records office responded.

“First, the request seeks documents exempt under attorney-client privilege. Additionally, the requested communications implicate substantial privacy interests. Disclosure of these records would therefore constitute an invasion of privacy that outweighs the public interest in disclosure.”

Prior to that, Fox News Digital submitted a formal public records request to San Jose State University seeking copies of the Oct. 24, 2024 complaint letter that was sent to the school by Kress’s former player, a Nov. 1 follow-up email, and a Nov. 7 response to the woman from the university’s Title IX office.

But that record was also denied.

“The requested communications implicate substantial privacy interests,” the university’s response stated.

“Disclosure of these records would therefore constitute an invasion of privacy that outweighs the public interest in disclosure. Specifically, these records are being withheld subject to the following exemptions: Personnel Records/Privacy… General Privacy Rights… [and the] Balancing Test. Here, the public interest served by disclosure is minimal and is outweighed by the public interest served against disclosure in protecting substantial and significant privacy rights.”

Fox News Digital was given copies of emails exchanged between SJSU and the former Fairfield player, from an independently verified source. The letter with the allegations was forwarded to SJSU administration on Oct. 24, 2024, and a response acknowledging receipt of the letter was sent later that same day.

Then on Nov. 4, 2024, former SJSU interim Title IX and Gender Equity Officer Peter Lim reached out to set up a meeting with the former player and her attorney.

“Thank you for sharing your concerns about Coach Todd Kress. I am sorry to hear about your experiences. I have reviewed your letter and would like to meet with you to better understand your experiences with Coach Kress. The purpose of the meeting would be to help me assess potential next steps, which may or may not include an investigation into the reported conduct,” Lim wrote.

Three days after that, on Nov. 7, Lim sent another email to the former Fairfield player, thanking her and her attorney for meeting with them.

“I am so sorry about your prior experiences with Todd Kress at Fairfield University. I appreciate the time you took to describe those experiences, the impact those experiences continue to have on you, and the safety threat that you believe he presents to SJSU’s volleyball team,” Lim wrote.

“We are evaluating the information you provided and determining appropriate next steps. If it is okay with the two of you, I would appreciate staying in touch.”

There was no further correspondence between the two parties after that exchange, Fox News Digital has learned.

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Fox News Digital has posed multiple questions to Kress, Lim, SJSU admins and public records office clerks, and CSU spokespeople regarding their responses to the allegations, the woman’s recent statements, Slusser’s statements, what, if any, investigation took place into the allegations, and why they deem disclosure of the requested records are not enough in the public interest to warrant disclosure. But no response to those questions has been given by any of the parties.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Fairfield for a response to the former player’s allegations and recent statement, but was told by a spokesperson, “The university does not comment on former or current personnel matters.”

Manchester City asked a number of season ticket holders to verify their seats using face scanning technology, but say this was an error

Manchester City have insisted there are no plans to introduce facial recognition at the Etihad for supporters after a number of season ticket holders were mistakenly asked to ‘verify’ their tickets using biometrics.

The club have been working with official ‘verification partner’ Veritran for the last 18 months to clamp down on touting but say the measures are not aimed at those fans who have bought the right to attend every home game.

City have added more than 4,000 new Flexi Tickets with the opening of the expanded North Stand to take the number of season tickets over the 40,000 threshold – two thirds of the stadium capacity. However, some of those getting their new tickets raised concerns after being asked to upload ID and scan their face to confirm the purchases.

Chelsea and Manchester United are among the clubs to have introduced mandatory ID verification for all supporters; the intention is to tackle touting, but fixing one person to one ticket risks stopping loyal fans from going and changing how season tickets have been used for decades. City fans raised concerns a year ago when facial recognition cameras were installed at turnstiles.

The club said then and now that these are not turned on for supporters at matchdays, and City have reiterated to the Manchester Evening News that there are no plans to introduce any form of verification for season ticket holders. Those who were asked for it were done so as the result of an error while their status upgraded from a member to a flexi gold ticket holder.

City have introduced a verification process for members – i.e anyone who buys a membership so that they can purchase individual match tickets – in an effort to weed out duplicate or fake accounts and so make games safer for home fans. This remains voluntary across the board, although a small number have been asked to verify their identity after suspicious activity on their account; hundreds have chosen to take part in the process to confirm they are a genuine fan and avoid future issues when buying tickets.

The club suspended more than 2,500 accounts last season for breaches relating to touting and misuse. City have looked to be more pro-active after the biggest concern cited in a survey produced by fan group 1894 during the 2024/25 season was safety and security after a number of incidents with away fans in the home ends.

However, it was also recognised that changes to the ticket transfer system went too far last season and left many Blues frustrated at being unable to give their ticket to fellow supporters when they couldn’t go. That has been amended for the new campaign in the hope that it makes things easier again for fans to share tickets.

Any form of ID verification would potentially make this more difficult, but aside from the voluntary offer for fans City say it is not part of their plans.

In July, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, and I are all releasing our Fantasy Football Tiers for quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end. To try to make mine a little bit different, my tiers are based almost exclusively on my 2026 projections. I say almost, because at running back, once you get to the backup running backs, their value becomes less about their projection and more about their upside if the guy in front of them suffers an injury. There are a couple of other tweaks, but for the most part I will tell you below where these guys project and when I would draft them. Let’s jump right in.

Jamey and I broke down our running back tiers with Adam Aizer on Fantasy Football Today; check it out:

Tier 1

Jahmyr Gibbs
Bijan Robinson

Gibbs and Robinson are the only backs I have projected for more than 20.5 PPR Fantasy points per game. These are arguably the two best running backs in football and the top two consensus picks in our rankings. They are both supremely talented, projected for workhorse roles, and entering their prime. There is not much more you can ask for out of an RB1. Gibbs gets the slight edge for RB1 because of the quality of their offenses, but barring injury, I would expect these two to be battling for the number one overall pick for the next three seasons. 

Tier 2

Christian McCaffrey
Jonathan Taylor

McCaffrey and Taylor are two points clear of RB5 in my projections and almost close enough to Gibbs and Robinson to be in the same tier. But they don’t feel quite as insulated, which is why they’re in Tier 2. McCaffrey has age and workload concerns, and wasn’t near the same back in the running game last year. Taylor is touchdown dependent and may have contract concerns resurfacing in training camp. McCaffrey is RB3 in full PPR leagues, but if catches count for less than a full point, I actually prefer Taylor. All three of us have both of these backs in our top seven in full PPR leagues.

Tier 3

De’Von Achane
James Cook

Achane and Cook are the last two running backs that I have ranked in Round 1, with projections between 17 and 18 PPR FPPG. But their profiles are quite a bit different. Cook has scored 32 touchdowns over the last two seasons and led the NFL in rushing last season. Achane thrives on receptions (145 over the last two seasons) and efficiency (league-best 5.7 yards per carry) in 2026. Cook is the better floor play at the end of Round 1, but Achane has more upside. The question is how to solve the seeming conflict between Malik Willis‘ low running back target rate and the fact that the Dolphins don’t have anyone else to throw to. 

Tier 4

Chase Brown
Derrick Henry
Saquon Barkley
Josh Jacobs

This is the point where the rankings and the projections diverge. Henry, Barkley, and Jacobs all project as clear RB1s between 16 and 17 FPPG in Fantasy Football but all have enormous question marks that cause me to rank them lower than their projection. For Henry, it’s Father Time’s undefeated record, and the fact that Henry lost his All-Pro center and fullback in the offseason. For Jacobs, it’s off-field concerns that remain unresolved as training camp opens. For Barkley, it’s his lackluster 2025. For now, Barkley and Henry should be drafted at the two-three turn, but Jacobs will be in Round 4 for me until we find out whether he’ll be facing a suspension. If Jacobs is cleared, he may be the safest of the group.

Tier 5

Omarion Hampton
Ashton Jeanty
Breece Hall
Kenneth Walker
Kyren Williams

This group all projects for 15 FPPG, but Williams is the only back in the tier that has past production to justify that projection. We expect Hampton and Jeanty to benefit from new offensive coordinators and better offensive line play; in fact, many project them as top 10 backs already. I am not quite there but I would agree they have the most upside in the tier. Walker is the biggest wild card. The opportunity to be a feature back is there; what remains in question is whether the Chiefs will employ him in the passing game and how many short-yardage TDs he scores. Historically, that has been Patrick Mahomes‘ area of the field. I am the highest on Hall relative to consensus, though I don’t think anyone doubts he has the talent. The offensive line in New York should be good; we just need his role in the passing game to return.

Tier 6

Cam Skattebo
D’Andre Swift
Quinshon Judkins
Javonte Williams
Travis Etienne
Jeremiyah Love

The Tier 6 backs project between 12.5 and 13.5 FPPG but the young guys have far more upside than that. Skattebo and Judkins are progressing well off devastating lower leg injuries; they should be ready for camp but how effective they will be remains to be seen. Most people are ranking Love higher than this, and I do too. But it is hard to project that for him on a bad offense that also plans to use Tyler Allgeier and James Conner. Love had great passing game chops, but shares the field with target hog Trey McBride, and running back targets are often negatively correlated with tight end targets. Still, I don’t blame you if FOMO causes you to reach into early Round 3 due to Love’s talent.

Tier 7

Tony Pollard
TreVeyon Henderson
Jaylen Warren
Bucky Irving
Rhamondre Stevenson
David Montgomery
RJ Harvey
Rico Dowdle
Bhayshul Tuten
J.K. Dobbins
Jadarian Price

We have reached the borderline RB2/flex range of the projections. These guys are projected between 11 and 12 FPPG, though there is certainly more upside than that. If someone wins a clear RB1 role in New England, Pittsburgh, or Denver, then my projection will be way too low for that guy. Price is another guy who could earn a much larger role early in the season but I am worried Zach Charbonnet comes back at the worst time for Fantasy managers and squashes Price’s upside. 

Tier 8

Chuba Hubbard
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Kyle Monangai
Aaron Jones
Kenneth Gainwell
Jordan Mason
Jonathon Brooks
Rachaad White

This group is projected for nine to 10 FPPG, but some of what I said about the last group is certainly true here. That is particularly true for the Carolina backs. I think most people have Hubbard at least one tier ahead of Brooks, but if Brooks is truly healthy, I actually think he’ll take the lead role in Carolina. He has more juice, better pedigree, and the Panthers have been salivating to use him in the passing game. These guys are best viewed as flexes with RB2 upside, but in a best-case scenario I could see Brooks challenging for RB1 status. If he pops early in camp, he’ll be featured in every training camp risers article.

Tier 9

Woody Marks
Blake Corum
Tyrone Tracy
Tyjae Spears
Chris Rodriguez

We have reached the running backs that are exclusively backup running backs, though some may object to a few of the names above being called exclusively backups. That’s what separates them from the backs in Tier 10: I do think there is a chance these guys are deep flexes even when the starters are healthy. Marks, Tracy, and Spears should all have a role on passing downs and Corum should be sharing series with Williams like he was in the second half of 2025. Rodriguez? Well, he’s the most mysterious. He played in college for Liam Coen and he’s probably more of a professional running back than Tuten. My current expectation is that Rodriguez and Tuten split early downs in Tuten’s favor while LeQuint Allen handles the majority of third downs and two-minute drills. What Tuten managers have to hope is that Rodriguez doesn’t steal short-yardage touchdowns.

Tier 10

Zach Charbonnet
Alvin Kamara
Dylan Sampson
Isiah Pacheco
Tyler Allgeier
Mike Washington
Brian Robinson

Charbonnet is the one guy that sticks out from this group. I think he’ll be the best running back in Seattle once he’s healthy, but that could be December. All reports have been positive so far, but his injury happened very late in the year. If you have multiple IR spots in your league, then you can consider Charbonnet as early as Round 10. If you have zero IR spots and short benches, then I am not sure you’ll be able to justify holding him until he’s ready to play. Everyone else in this tier probably needs an injury to be Fantasy relevant.

Tier 11

Kaytron Allen
Nicholas Singleton
Demond Claiborne
Jonah Coleman
Marshawn Lloyd
Braelon Allen
Kimani Vidal
Keaton Mitchell

Want a “most likely to skyrocket in camp” name? It’s Marshawn Lloyd. He’s finally healthy and Jacobs has legal troubles. If Lloyd stays healthy and Jacobs’ troubles get worse, Lloyd could jump five tiers. But even if Jacobs isn’t suspended, a healthy Lloyd should be drafted much earlier than he currently is. I’m just being a little bit cautious because I would like to see him make it through a month of practice without any injuries.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell (ANI Photo)

England youngster Jacob Bethell has opened up about the unforgettable experience of opening the batting alongside Virat Kohli at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during his stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), describing the atmosphere as unlike anything he had experienced before.Bethell, who joined RCB after being signed in the 2025 IPL mega auction, shared the dressing room with Kohli during the franchise’s back-to-back title-winning campaigns in 2025 and 2026. Although the young all-rounder had a mixed season with the bat, he said the opportunity to walk out alongside one of the game’s modern greats remains a career highlight.

‘I remember being nervous’

Speaking on the Super Over podcast on YouTube, Bethell admitted he was overwhelmed by nerves before his first home appearance in Bengaluru.“That was crazy. I remember being really nervous before. It was only my first game in front of home fans. I was nervous to say the least. But as soon as I got onto the ground, I just felt a sense of excitement. I ran drinks for quite a lot of the competition. Looking at the atmosphere and wanting to get a piece of it,” Jacob Bethell said. “We were walking out to bat. I can only hear myself think… the place is bouncing, there is no gap in it. You feel like they are on top of you. Luckily enough, we managed to put on a few runs; I scored a few, he scored a few. I remember I hit my second ball for four and I have never heard a sound that loud,” he added.

‘Virat is very chilled off the field’

Bethell also shed light on Kohli’s personality away from the spotlight, saying the former RCB captain is far more relaxed than his fiery on-field persona suggests.“Away from cricket and off the field, he’s actually a very chilled individual. Great to talk to, great to spend time around. But it’s just that ability to then flip into that competitive nature in and around cricket or training, ” Bethell revealed Bethell’s IPL 2026 campaign yielded 163 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 140.52, but the England all-rounder has previously credited Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Dinesh Karthik in a video posted by RCB on their official handle for helping him improve his game, particularly against spin, during his time with the Bengaluru franchise.

The Vikings are moving into a pivotal season. At the risk of stating the obvious, the team’s players need to play better than last season. Some of that process means welcoming new guys while those who have been in town for a little while elevate their game.

In 2025, the Vikings finished off at a disappointing 9-8. Getting to that tepid, uninspiring final record meant stacking five wins to finish off the year, meaning the record showed 4-8 as the team was getting past the halfway mark. DC Brian Flores was largely responsible for the Vikings getting above .500 since his defense was so impressive. Minnesota has nevertheless put some players on notice, bringing in such robust competition that some returning talent needs to step up or get left behind.

The Vikings Put a Trio of Defenders on Notice

Player No. 1 — Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr.

In Ivan Pace, the Vikings boast a fly-forward, all-out-attack defender who makes his living due to being unusually aggressive. Sounds like a perfect fit for the Brian Flores defense.

At this stage, however, Pace is the LB4 in Minnesota. Most of his problems arise when he needs to drop into pass coverage but he struggled with tackles last season, too. He was an RFA moving into the offseason, being brought back for a $3,520,000 cap charge that could be totally wiped away with a cut or trade. Opting to bring Eric Wilson back while then drafting Jake Golday looks likely to make Pace’s job more modest moving into 2026.

Now, that’s not to say that he won’t earn a large job. However, Pace is no longer going to be a starter by default. Pace has seen his portion of the pie grow smaller since breaking out as a rookie in 2023. Only 25, Pace is a good player who is capable of reversing the trend.

Player No. 2 — Theo Jackson

Theo Jackson was on the ascent from 2022-2024 when he was a part-time defender and full-time special teams weapon. His debut season as a starter didn’t go particularly well, though.

Jackson returns as the S2 for the Vikings. Josh Metellus is going to start. There’s then a group that’s seeing Jackson compete alongside Jay Ward and Jakobe Thomas to form the safety twosome when a pair is required. Ward is capable of doing some really good things as a long, aggressive, and physical safety. Meanwhile, Thomas turned heads last season for a Miami team that went all the way to the college championship.

Another sneaky detail to note is the signing of James Pierre. The veteran is going to make it easier to roll with a trio of corners, a departure from last year when only Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers were leaned on for heavy snap totals. Expect a shift that goes 3CB/2S instead of 3S/2CB when Flores wants to go nickle.

What happens if Harrison Smith returns? The Vikings could further crowd things in the secondary if The Hitman goes for another season.

Player No. 3 — Levi Drake Rodriguez

Best guess on this end of the internet is that Levi Drake Rodriguez is a starter in 2026. That’s no sure thing, though.

Most notably, there’s the presence of the hulking Caleb Banks. Fill-in GM Rob Brzezinski pulled off a shocking selection in the 2026 NFL Draft by opting for the injured but remarkably talented Banks at No. 18. Moreover, the addition of DT Domonique Orange — nicknamed “Big Citrus” due to his size and name — appears to further muddy the waters for who gets to start at defensive tackle.

Jalen Redmond is essentially locked into a starting position. Who gets to do the dirty work alongside the DT1 remains to be seen. Rodriguez offers excellent hustle and ruggedness, but he’s an undersized guy who was chosen by the Vikings in the 7th in 2024.

Can the 1st and/or the 3rd get past him on the depth chart? Rodriguez needs to continue ascending.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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Indiana landed its first-ever 5-star recruit in 2027 WR Monsun Sales.

If Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers make this a trend, they will entrench themselves as a perennial national title contender.

On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, Spencer McLaughlin and ‘Locked On Vols’ host Eric Cain discuss Tennessee’s 2026 season outlook.

Will the Vols insert themselves back into the College Football Playoff picture?

Washington State enters 2026 on its third football coach in the last three seasons.

Will Kirby Moore and the Cougars be a surprise contender in the G6 ranks?

05:21 Curt Cignetti’s coaching dominance
10:57 Jim Knowles adapts defense strategy
14:23 Discussing upcoming Texas vs. Tennessee game
17:02 Discussing Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee matchup
19:47 Evaluating Tennessee’s upcoming games
23:06 Discussing Pullman’s tough schedule
28:34 Analyzing Washington State’s upcoming season
29:29 Exciting matchups for Washington State

/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

While the attention on Adam Ramsay-Peaty has not wavered, the athlete himself is much changed.

It marks two years since the 31-year-old narrowly missed out on a third consecutive 100m breaststroke Olympic gold at Paris 2024, and while he will be back in the pool at a major championships this summer, his life looks completely different.

Now married and expecting a child due in early December with model Holly Ramsay-Peaty, daughter of Gordon Ramsey, the swimmer has also relocated to London for training and to be nearer the in-laws.

With those changes have come their own share of tabloid drama, but this matured version of Ramsay-Peaty would prefer to take any of the expectation that comes with being a big name and do the talking in the pool at Glasgow 2026.

“Pressure can be given to anyone, but it’s probably best in my hands because the more pressure I’m under, the better I perform,” he said.

“At the same time, you need a strategy for managing the noise and we probably haven’t done that as well as we could, but I’ll make sure the swimming does the talking.

“We can’t control every variable in life, but I can stand behind the blocks and not really care about what people’s opinions are.

“Being at peace with a 100m or 50m breaststroke race is a beautiful place to be. Nothing else matters in that moment. That’s the beauty of sport. If you can find that state of mind, it’s an incredible place to be.

“That’s the Adam people should see – the racer. Everything else is my private life.”

The spotlight will shine brightly for different reasons when he travels up to Glasgow for the first championships since Paris 2024.

With gymnast Max Whitlock ruled out of Team England’s efforts in the Scottish second city, Ramsay-Peaty will likely find himself as the leading face of his nation.

And while it is not a new position for a man who has led British swimming’s efforts for the best part of a decade, his new outlook is also playing its part in shaping his role at a fourth Commonwealth Games.

“As one of the older athletes on the team, you’ve got a chance to share experiences, but you’ve also got a duty of care towards the younger swimmers,” he said.

“Not everyone is going to race how they want to. Some will swim out of their skin and others will have a few shockers. That’s just sport.

“Being a father has enabled me not just to sympathise because I’ve been through it, but to empathise if someone’s experience is different.

“The love and kindness I can show now is very different to the person I was from 2014 onwards.”

Setting aside ego cannot be easy for one of the best athletes of a generation.

The three-time Olympic gold medallist was struggling with coronavirus and, self-admittedly, some complacency when he narrowly missed out in the French capital.

But at his first championships since, this new version of Ramsay-Peaty is ready to open the chapter on his end goal of LA 2028 Olympic Games.

“I want these Commonwealth Games to be a springboard and to come away confident in my ability to race the best in the world,” said the 31-year-old.

“Paris 2024 was bittersweet. I’d spent 18 months getting back after the breakdown and a difficult period in 2023. I was in a great place physically, but then I caught Covid just before the championships.

“Now it’s about putting that right. Did ego play a part? Did complacency play a part in 2024? Potentially. But now it’s about bringing everything back down, focusing on the details and enhancing the performance.

“As an athlete, I see the sport completely differently now. I don’t see success as medals any more. That’s not defeatist, it’s probably the opposite.

“Success for me is coming away from Glasgow knowing I’ve done absolutely everything I possibly could to finish as high as I can. If I look after the process, the outcome will take care of itself.”

By anyone else’s standards, Paris 2024 would not have been a failure. Ramsay-Peaty won Olympic silver, just 0.02 seconds behind Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi.

But with six Olympic medals, eight world titles, 16 European titles and four Commonwealth Games titles, normal has never been Ramsay-Peaty’s playing field.

And through a decade of success that has seen him break 14 world records, the Commonwealth Games continue to play a formative role in what comes next.

“If my career was a book, the Commonwealth Games would be very definitive chapters,” he explained.

“Now we’re towards the back of the book and I know that, so I want to make sure the book is written the way I want it.

“I’d like to get to Glasgow as a full-circle moment from my first one in 2014, when I beat Cameron van der Burgh, and see what we can come away with.”

Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £33m is raised every week for good causes. It’s because of you that sport, arts, heritage and community projects, as well as our athletes competing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, are supported across the UK.

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