As the curtain came down on the Paris 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Games, it brought an end to a historic summer for Welsh swimmers.
For the first time, Welsh athletes earned gold medals at both Games, with Kieran Bird & Matt Richards clinching 4x200m Freestyle Relay gold, and Rhys Darbey playing a pivotal role in Great Britain’s successful defence of their S14 Mixed 4x100m Freestyle Relay title. Darbey’s comeback silver in the SM14 200m Individual Medley capped a stunning debut for the 17-year-old and contributed to the best Paralympics medal haul for Welsh athletes in two decades.
Richards broke new ground when he and Duncan Scott, Tom Dean and James Guy became the first quartet across any sport to defend a relay title at an Olympic Games. The 2023 200m Free World Champion had already made his mark in the individual event, where he missed out on gold by a fingertip to David Popovici after an incredible swim from the outside lane.
Elsewhere in the pool, Porthmadog’s Medi Harris ensured the Women’s 4x200m Freestyle team reached the final with a solid Heat swim, and Daniel Jervis was 15th overall in the 1500m Freestyle at his second Games. Hector Pardoe of Wrexham came close to repeating his podium finish at this year’s World Championships, but ultimately had to settle for sixth after a gutsy swim in the in the 10km Marathon in the River Seine.
The three medals won by Welsh athletes at the Olympic Games equated to around 15 percent of the total won by Aquatics GB, despite only making up 10 percent of the team.
Darbey headed into his first Games as a World Championships silver medallist, having only been classified in 2022. After his dream relay gold, he qualified fourth fastest into the final, and he saved his best for the big occasion.
Trailing the leading pack after the opening Butterfly leg, the Nofio Clwyd athlete touched the wall in seventh position, but began to shift through the gears as he completed the backstroke leg in 34.12 to move up two places into fifth at the halfway mark.
Darbey kept building throughout the breaststroke leg as he moved up another place into fourth, but he was still half a second behind Australia’s Ricky Betar in third and close to a second off Ukraine’s Dmytro Vanzenko heading into the final 50m.
He turned on the afterburners from the turn with a medal in his sights, and powered through the water in the final 25m to earn a spectacular silver medal ahead of the Australian swimmer in Lane 5. His final freestyle split of 29.25 was the fastest in the field by some distance as he capped a dream Paralympics debut with a silver medal. His time of 2:08.61 was a huge lifetime best for the North Walian.
In addition, Swansea University Head Coach Hayley Baker was selected as lead coach for the Marathon Swimming team and Verity Cook played a key role as Team Manager for Aquatics GB & Paralympics GB.
Swim Wales Chief Executive Fergus Feeney said: “We could not be prouder of our athletes and the historic success they have achieved at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. I cannot over emphasise the impact their performances have had on hundreds and thousands of people across Wales. Our six athletes have represented Welsh Aquatics with distinction on the world stage in and out of the pool, inspiring a nation and setting a powerful example for future generations of athletes. To return with five medals across both Games is an incredible contribution for our small nation, and is proves that aquatics continues to thrive in Wales.”
Swim Wales National Performance Director Ross Nicholas said: “A huge congratulations must go to each of the six athletes selected to the Olympic & Paralympic Games. Their achievements in reaching the Games, and their incredible successes in Paris are testament to the talent and dedication of the athletes and their support networks. The historic performances from Welsh athletes showcased the strength of our inclusive pathway, and we’re already relishing the prospect of the 2028 Games in LA.”
