“I wanted my children to love the water. I took them all to baby swimming classes”

Tom

As a proud mum and supporter of Tom Dean, I have witnessed his incredible journey from a young boy who loved swimming to a world-class athlete competing at the Olympics. I remember those early mornings when Tom and his siblings would wake up before sunrise to go swimming with our mum. Her unwavering dedication and support paid off as she instilled in them a strong work ethic that helped shape Tom into the talented swimmer he is today.

When we were young, my four siblings and I were all regularly taken swimming by our mother. I would even get up as early as 6am to join her for a swim before she went to work, relishing the feeling of being in the water. For many years after that, it was her task to rouse five teenagers every morning for swimming practice in a chilly pool – an endeavor that proved worthwhile in the long run.

I had a natural ability, but I underestimated the importance of putting in effort. My older sister Connie, who I swam with, was an unyielding worker and her dedication left a profound impact on me.

As a movie lover, I can recall back to when I was eight years old and was asked to write about my dreams and ambitions. My heart was set on two goals: “I longed to become the best swimmer in the world,” and “I aspired to be the greatest math whiz the globe had ever seen.” Amazingly, I managed to achieve one of those dreams!

During her birthdays, Mum enjoys attending the British Swimming Championships at the poolside. She has been a constant presence at most significant swimming meetings in my career. Currently residing overseas, she makes it a point to return whenever I compete. Her unwavering support continues to be truly remarkable.

When I was eight I wrote “I want to be the best swimmer in the world”

I’ve made swimming a significant part of my weekly routine. Six days out of seven, I dive into the cool, inviting pool – from Monday to Saturday. My mornings and afternoons are devoted to this activity, with two hours dedicated to each session. Additionally, I find myself at the gym approximately three to four times a week. The combination of these workouts keeps my body active and energized, shaping my life in a way that promotes health and vitality.

As a dedicated movie buff and fitness enthusiast, I pack in an impressive 7,000 calories daily to fuel my intense training routine. My mornings start with not one but two breakfasts: a hearty bowl of porridge for a gentle energy boost, followed by a post-workout cooked breakfast to replenish my spent energy. My midday meal is a substantial feast, featuring either chili or spaghetti bolognese, and throughout the day I munch on snacks like a peanut butter bagel for a quick burst of energy, and a banana to keep things light and fresh. Finally, I wind down with a filling dinner and a nourishing bowl of yoghurt and granola before retiring for the night.

At major competitions where I excel, what fills me with the greatest pride is the happiness I see on my family’s faces. The memory of our wild celebration after I brought home two gold medals from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics stands out more vividly than the actual metals themselves.

Jacquie

I’m blessed with a family of seven: three sons, Alfie, Tom, and William, followed by two daughters, Connie and Nancy. The age gap between them ranges from just six years. I had Tom as my firstborn and he is the second eldest. His birth was quite an event; due to his broad shoulders, a doctor had to gently adjust one of them during delivery. Tom was a big boy, tipping the scales at ten pounds right from the start. From a young age, he had an insatiable appetite that kept us all on our toes!

Originally hailing from Liverpool, I relocated to London for educational purposes. Growing up, I missed out on competitive sports but harbored a deep affection for swimming, which I continue to practice daily. Eager to instill the same appreciation for water in my offspring, I enrolled them in baby swimming courses when they were roughly six to eight weeks old.

Tom was a huge, ten-pound baby and he ate continuously.

After that, things only escalated. It meant seven mornings and five nights, with weekends and holidays dedicated to competitions. When they were teenagers, I’d rise at 5:15 am every day and visit each of their rooms for an early wake-up. I filled the van with swim gear and prepared warm milk and chocolate pastries for everyone. To this day, I struggle to sleep past 5:20 am.

I wouldn’t attempt to convince, coax, or pressure them into doing something against their will. If they chose not to do it, they simply ceased. Alfie took a break from swimming for a while, but later returned to it. Nancy had a stronger inclination towards football.

During my career, I wore various hats: I spent 20 years as an investigative journalist in current affairs for TV, then moved on to become a commissioning editor at the BBC, overseeing documentaries and history. More recently, I shifted gears to focus on media policy and strategy, with a current base in the Middle East. In retrospect, it’s clear that my professional journey was quite extensive, but at the time, it all felt like part of the natural progression.

For the past decade, I’ve been shouldering the responsibility of being a single parent. It’s been an incredibly challenging journey for my family and me. Adjusting to this new situation was a brutal process for the kids, and I found myself asking: how are we going to make it work now?

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Tom expressed his gratitude by saying, “I wouldn’t have made it here without your support.” I admitted there were moments when I doubted if we could continue. But we persevered. That was all thanks to our children. I simply encouraged them with, “If you’re determined to do this, then let’s make it happen.”

Tom Dean participates in three swimming relays: the 4x100m freestyle on Saturday, July 27; the 4x200m freestyle on Tuesday, July 30; and the 200m individual medley on Thursday, August 1.

2024-07-26 16:04

Tom

Jacquie

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