 |
|
| Alys
THOMAS |
| Sport |
Swimming |
| NOC |
Great Britain
|
| Gender | Women |
| Born | 10 Oct 1990
in Swansea, WAL |
| Height | 1.77 m |
|
|
|
|
|
General Interest |
Other information |
RETIREMENT
In 2022 she retired from the sport. She was advised that continuing to train and compete could result in permanent damage to her right wrist, which had been causing her problems since 2010. "It's a lot to take in. It's a lot to get my head around. As an athlete, I want to carry on. I said to the consultant, 'What can you do for me in order for me to just stay in the water and stay competitive and train the way I want to and need to?' Unfortunately there was nothing they were able to do. It was set out to me that the state of my joint and my wrist was not good and if I were to continue loading the joint and the daily grind of training that potentially I would lose function in my hand and in my wrist. I need a functioning wrist in day-to-day life. I am really sad that it's come to an end this way." (bbc.co.uk, 04 Oct 2022)
LATE BLOOMER
In 2018 she became FINA's top-ranked swimmer in the women's 200m butterfly, having won gold in that event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. "This is my first major international medal. I'm finally breaking through now. It says something about being patient when you're young. Some people say that 28 may be old for swimming but in the grand scheme of life, 28 is pretty young and our bodies are in their peaks. I don't think people should see that as an obstacle at all." (bbc.co.uk, 19 Jul 2019, 01 Aug 2018; walesonline.co.uk, 09 Apr 2018) |
Further Personal Information |
Higher education |
Psychology - Swansea University: Wales |
Sport Specific Information |
When and where did you begin this sport? |
She learned to swim as a baby and at age five joined Kingston Royals SC in London, England. |
Further Personal Information |
Languages |
English |
General Interest |
Sporting philosophy / motto |
"Be patient, work hard and it will come." (cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk, 24 Feb 2020) |
Injuries |
She tore cartilage in her right wrist ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. She was still able to compete at the Games in Delhi, India. (bbc.co.uk, 04 Oct 2022; Instagram profile, 04 Oct 2022) |
Olympic Games |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| 7 |
2021 |
Tokyo, JPN |
200m Butterfly |
2:07.90 |
World Championships |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| 5 |
2019 |
Gwangju, KOR |
200m Butterfly |
2:07.48 |
| Heats |
2019 |
Gwangju, KOR |
100m Butterfly |
59.25 |
| 8 |
2019 |
Gwangju, KOR |
4 x 100m Medley Relay |
3:59.38 |
| Semifinal |
2017 |
Budapest, HUN |
200m Butterfly |
2:08.72 |
| Heats |
2017 |
Budapest, HUN |
50m Butterfly |
DNS |
| Semifinal |
2017 |
Budapest, HUN |
100m Butterfly |
58.21 |
| 7 |
2017 |
Budapest, HUN |
4 x 100m Medley Relay |
|
European Championships |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| Heats |
2021 |
Budapest, HUN |
200m Butterfly |
2:11.51 |
| Heats |
2021 |
Budapest, HUN |
100m Butterfly |
59.46 |
| 3 |
2018 |
Glasgow, SCO |
200m Butterfly |
2:07.42 |
| Semifinal |
2018 |
Glasgow, SCO |
100m Butterfly |
58.44 |
| Heats |
2018 |
Glasgow, SCO |
50m Butterfly |
27.24 |
| 3 |
2018 |
Glasgow, SCO |
4 x 100m Medley Relay |
3:56.91 |
| |
|
