Olympic Gold Medallist Matt Richards Holds Exclusive Swim Clinic at King's
The King's School, Worcester had the privilege of hosting Olympic gold medallist and world champion swimmer, Matt Richards M.B.E., on Saturday 12th October, to deliver his renowned ‘509 Swim Clinic’ to swimmers from across the Midlands.
Richards, a key member of Team GB's 4x200m Freestyle relay team at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, spent the day inspiring pupils and young swimmers from across Worcester with his expertise, passion, and journey to the top of world swimming.
The clinic offered aspiring swimmers a unique opportunity to learn from one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes. Richards, who has become a household name in British swimming, delivered a hands-on, engaging session tailored to swimmers looking to refine their techniques and improve performance in the pool. The clinic included personalised coaching on stroke techniques, starts, turns, and underwater skills, as well as insights into the mind-set and discipline required to compete at the elite level.
At just 21 years old, Richards is already a veteran of international competitions, holding both Olympic gold and world championship titles. His visit to King’s Worcester forms part of his mission to give back to the swimming community and inspire the next generation of athletes through his 509 Swim Clinics, which are named after his British swimming number.
'We are absolutely thrilled to have Matt visit us and work with our young athletes,' said Chris Jenkinson, Head of Swimming at King’s Worcester. '
It’s an incredible opportunity for them to learn directly from an Olympic champion and see first-hand what it takes to excel at the highest levels of sport.'
The event also included a Q&A session where Richards, his parents, coach and wife Emily, who is also a GB swimmer, having been a World Junior Champion, 3x European Junior Champion, World semi-finalist, Commonwealth Games Finalist, with plenty of GB caps, all shared their personal experiences, including the dedication and resilience needed to achieve Olympic glory. Richards spoke candidly about his early beginnings in the sport, his training regime, and the challenges of competing on the world stage.
Richards expressed his enthusiasm for working with the young swimmers, saying, '
It's been an amazing day. I’m passionate about helping young swimmers realise their potential and showing them that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. It’s always rewarding to see their progress and to be a part of their journey.'
The 509 Swim Clinic was met with high praise from both participants and parents, with many remarking on how impactful it was to receive direct coaching from one of the sport’s top talents. The event underscores King’s Worcester’s commitment to fostering excellence in swimming, providing pupils with top-tier opportunities to grow in their chosen sports.
October 2024