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Time to hang up the goggles

Time to hang up the goggles

Friday 14 July 2023

Time to hang up the goggles

Friday 14 July 2023


Tom Hollingsworth will return to Australia, having retired from competitive swimming at this year's home Island Games.

The Sarnian swimmer has represented his home island at every Games since Guernsey 2003.

He said it was fitting to retire after this year's Games. 

"It's quite something to when you get to one of those milestones, you look back at how far you've come. I never would have thought...you know, I've been doing this 20 years, and I've got to that point...so yeah, it's quite something.

"When all these islands come together, it's just fun to have lots of fast swimmers racing against each other."

Hollingsworth has added five medals to his Island Games haul this week with four silvers and a bronze.

He entered nine events, and came second in the Men's 100m backstroke, the 200m backstroke, the 50m backstroke and the 4 x 100m medley relay. He also won bronze in the 4 x 50m medley relay.

Hollingsworth closes his Island Games career as a record holder. His 4 x 50m freestyle record from 2013 still stands. 

He, Ben Lowndes, Miles Munro and Jeremy Osbourne finished the race in 1:31.54. Hollingsworth is the only member of that record holding swimming team who swam again this year for Guernsey.

"I'm definitely putting my feet up after this," he said, "it's been really tough getting myself fit enough to compete at this level. I've been doing it for long enough that I'm happy to hang the goggles up. So, yeah, this is the last one."

20 years ago Hollingsworth was one of the youngest athletes in Team Guernsey, now he is one of the most experienced. He's putting that experience to good use.

"I'm already coaching out in Australia, and that's the plan going forward to be a swim coach.

"I do try and leave it to Sara, who's the coach, I don't want to step on her toes but if if there was something they can ask me a question, I can draw on my experience and as a coach now too. So, yeah, it's been nice.

"My first games was here so when I found out in 2015 that it was announced to be here in '21, I set myself sights on 'OK, I'll finish there, that'd be a nice, that'd be a nice ending'. Obviously it's been two years delayed. But, it's great to be here because you definitely get 100% from the crowd."

READ MORE...

Swimmers smash another relay record as pool closes

Wednesday’s swimming was the Jersey show

Swimming records tumble

17 medals for Guernsey's swimmers, so far

Swimmers continue the medals rush

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