Olympic Champion Tom Dean Wins Big At British Swimming Awards

Two years of hard work, perseverance, and Olympic golds culminated in a night of honors for Tom Dean.

The 22-year-old freestyle ace was honored more than once during the British Swimming: The Awards 2021-22 which took place on Saturday, November 12th.

Dean took home the ‘Outstanding Swimmer of 2021-22’ award, recognizing the Bath athlete’s two Olympic gold medals from the 2020 Olympic Games and a trio of bronze medals from this year’s FINA World Championships in Budapest.

Note: because COVID canceled these awards last year, this award was given for results over the course of two years.

In Tokyo, Dean wowed the world by taking individual gold in the men’s 200m freestyle, becoming Great Britain’s first Olympic gold medalist in the event since 1908. He was also a critical member of the gold medal-winning British men’s 4x200m freestyle relay.

One year later in Budapest, Dean placed 3rd in the 200m free and helped his nation score the same result in the 800m free relay and 400m medley relay.

The results in Tokyo were after the Maidenhead native battled COVID-19 twice in the lead-up to the British Olympic Trials.

During this weekend’s awards ceremony, Dean was also honored with the inaugural Maurice Watkins Champion Athlete prize, with the recognition named after British Swimming’s late Chair.

Dean reflected on the company he was up against in the running for the prestigious honors.

“There is such competition that I was up against tonight. The three other guys nominated alongside me for the Outstanding Swimmer Award (Adam Peaty, Ben Proud and Duncan Scott) are all record-breakers in their own right in the last two years, from Olympic medals to defending titles to backing up competition on top of competition – so to be able to step up there and win the award was incredible.

“I shouted them out in my speech and said anybody could’ve won this award, it’s a real testament to the strength of British Swimming at the moment. It’s so great to be a part of that, to be in that energy and to be part of a driving force within, pushing British Swimming to greater heights, it was brilliant.”

Katie Shanahan was another honoree within the world of British swimming, taking home the Emerging Athlete trophy.

18-year-old Shanahan earned 5 medals at the 2021 European Junior Championships, including claiming gold in the 200m and 400m IM races. She added a pair of bronze medals to her resume by placing 3rd in the 400m IM and 200m back events at this year’s Commonwealth Games.

Maisie Summers-Newton was recognized as the Outstanding Para-Swimmer for 2021-22 for having won two gold medals in Tokyo. She was also a triple gold medalist at this year’s World Championships, topping the podium in the 200m IM (SM6), 400m free (S6) and 100m breast (SB6).

Tom Dean Comments on Being Named Outstanding Swimmer 2021-22

Tom Dean Reflecting on Winning the Maurice Watkins Champion Athlete Award

Maisie Summers-Newton Discusses Winning Outstanding Para-Swimmer for 2021-22

Katie Shanahan on Being Named Emerging Swimmer of the Year

WINNERS AT BRITISH SWIMMING: THE AWARDS 2021-22

Tom Dean – The Maurice Watkins Champion Athlete

Maisie Summers-Newton – Outstanding Para-Swimmer of 2021-22

Tom Dean – Outstanding Swimmer of 2021-22

Tom Daley – Outstanding Diver of 2021-22

Kate Shortman & Isabelle Thorpe – Outstanding Artistic Swimmers of 2021-22

Aidan Heslop – Outstanding High Diver of 2021-22

Lily Turner – Outstanding Water Polo Player of 2021-22

Robin Armayan – Outstanding Para-Swimming Coach of 2021-22

David McNulty – Outstanding Swimming Coach of 2021-22

Adam Smallwood – Outstanding Diving Coach of 2021-22

Paola Basso – Outstanding Artistic Swimming Coach of 2021-22

Theo Nousios – Outstanding Water Polo Coach of 2021-22

Poppy Maskill – Para-Swimming Emerging Athlete of 2021-22

Katie Shanahan – Swimming Emerging Athlete of 2021-22

Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix – Diving Emerging Athlete of 2021-22