Courtesy: Loughborough University
By his own admission, Max Litchfield has “unfinished business” ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The 31-year-old Team England swimmer has enjoyed a glittering career to date – including competing at three Olympic Games – yet Commonwealth glory has remained just outside his grasp.
“It’s my second Commonwealths, and I’m really looking forward to getting up to Glasgow,” he told Loughborough Sport.
“The Commonwealths have been a weird one. I competed in 2014 and didn’t swim as well as I wanted to. It’s now kind of a full circle thing, I guess unfinished business, but I’m just going to enjoy it and hopefully swim fast.
“Training has been going well and I’ve been racing great. I’m going in there to have some fun and try and win some medals.
“Glasgow is amazing for the crowd. I don’t know what it is, maybe the acoustics of the arena as it’s not the biggest in the world, but it’s always so loud – perhaps it’s the Scottish fans!”
Born in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, Litchfield first started swimming as a child. Coming from a sporting family – his dad played professional football for Preston North End and Bradford City, while his younger brother Joe also swims at the top level – it’s little wonder his talent in the pool soon shone through.
“At a young age I knew I was pretty good, but I knew I needed to focus on my swimming and put everything into it. That’s what I did and thankfully and luckily, I got the pleasure to be where I am today.”
Having moved to Loughborough eight years ago, Litchfield now proudly calls the East Midlands home and, alongside elite-level sport, is currently partway through his latest academic qualification.
“I moved here in 2018 and spent six years just being an athlete. Two years ago, I came onto the university programme and started studying for my master’s. I wouldn’t be where I am today, continuing my career into my thirties, without Loughborough.
“If I retired today, I’d be very proud of my achievements. Not many people can say they’ve been to three Olympic Games. People would give an arm and a leg to be in my position, and it’s something I’m very proud of – but there’s still more to come.”
Litchfield is now understandably recognised as one of the more senior members in Team England’s squad, having competed at the highest level for well over a decade. He hopes his years of know-how will benefit the wider team:
“It’s nice to be a senior member of the team. Hopefully I can give some of that experience to the younger swimmers to bring them through to go on and have illustrious careers.”
Guy looks as old as his coach, deserves the Gold for commitment!