Olympic world-record breaker Adam Peaty raced Wimbledon residents at the launch of a social media platform on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, who won gold in the men’s 100m breaststroke in Rio last month, swapped swimming for a sack race on Saturday, September 17.
The GB medallist was happy to sign conker jars and balloons in the hope of inspiring children at the launch of Nextdoor at South Park Gardens.
He said: “You see the kids here today, and they are so inspired by what you do in the Olympics.
“It’s great to give back to them so they can hopefully look back in years to come and say if I keep working hard I can get an Olympic gold or an Olympic medal.
“To be a part of that journey in their lives is hugely important to me.
“It’s up to us athletes and those who actually want to give back to their communities to show the children how it’s meant to be done.
“How you’re meant to treat people and how you’re meant to race and respect other countries.”
TOUGH COMPETITION: Peaty ditched his Speedos for the sack race
Peaty finished in a world-record breaking time of 57.13seconds and started Team GB’s gold rush in Rio.
He said: “It’s an amazing feeling, probably the best feeling in the world.
“To do the double, the world record and the gold, where no one else has really been before is incredible to have.
“I’m very passionate about my country, so everything to do with the Olympics is awe-inspiring for me.
“I’ll remember that moment for the rest of my life, putting on that jersey and putting on those trousers with the GB flags on them and the Team GB line.”
Peaty, who also won silver in the 4x100m relay, was quick to praise the community feel at the Olympics.
“There are no language barriers. You may come from anywhere in the world, but when you get out of the pool, you can say well done to each other and know you’ve given that absolute best. That’s what the Olympics is about,” said Peaty.
“It’s about respecting each other, no matter what the media puts in the headlines, you know you’re all there for a reason.
“You want to give that absolute best for your country, and there is nothing more powerful than that, there is nothing more powerful than sport.”
The Uttoxeter born swimmer already has eyes on success at Tokyo 2020.
He said: “I think I want to push the boundaries again, I think we can get another world record, who knows maybe, in the 200 metres, we go quite fast, but I’m going to enjoy just training now.
“I’ll be just as hungry and passionate about the sport, and that’s all that matters really.
“I’m still going to be there, and I’ll give it 110%.”
Peaty was at South Park Gardens last week to launch Nextdoor – a social media platform designed to encourage neighbourhoods to build stronger and safer communities.
“Technology is becoming more important, and everyone is on their smartphones and everyone is busy, so to be able to check how everyone is doing in the neighbourhood is great,” said Peaty.
“When I was an up-and-coming amateur, my neighbours used to take me training and provide financial support sometimes.
“Just stuff like that where you can ask your neighbour’s simple things. It means a lot in the end.”
Peaty threw himself into the community event, getting involved with the picnic, face painting and even the sack race.
Merton Council leader Stephen Alambritis said: “What is important to people is who is next door and sometimes we can go around life without knowing the first name of our next-door neighbour.
“Nextdoor gives you that opportunity to understand who is around you and connect with them.
“Adam will have been helped by the community in his swimming career.
“When you’re pushing for something, you know there are a groundsmen of people behind you.
“We look up to them, we congratulate them. I think in turn they want to be where the people are.
“Gold medal winners are worth their weight in gold.”
Nextdoor were thrilled to have Peaty at their event.
Founding member of Nextdoor in Vauxhall, Maddy Howatson, 32, said: “I think it’s important for anyone with a public profile to stay in touch with their local communities and do their bit to bring people together.
“It’s brilliant to have the endorsement from people with a reputation like that.”
Nextdoor is the private social network for neighbourhoods. Download the app for iOS or Android, or visit nextdoor.co.uk to find out more.
Images courtesy of Nextdoor, with thanks
