Jeffcoat bounces back from ‘brink of depression’ to win gold

New Zealand swimmer Andrew Jeffcoat bounced back from the “brink of depression” in the wake of missing the Olympics a year ago to savour a hard-won gold in the 50 metres backstroke at the Commonwealth Games.

The 23-year-old clocked a personal best and national record of 24.65 seconds to pip South Africa’s Pieter Coetze at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Birmingham.

It came after a slew of setbacks in the lead-up and a heart-breaking near-miss for a medal in the 100m event.

Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz

“My career’s been full of ups and downs,” Jeffcoat said.

“And every time there’s a down, I’ll have my moment, to dwell on it, to have a bit of a cry and a bit of a moan, but I’ll get back and I’ll use it.

“Missing out on the Olympics last year was one of those moments sitting back at home on the brink of depression.

“But instead of giving up and calling it quits, I vowed myself that I would do everything I can to not miss out on the team again.”

Jeffcoat contracted COVID-19 from a team mate days after booking his ticket to Birmingham and fell sick again in the run-up to a disappointing world championships in Budapest.

Finishing fourth in the 100m backstroke in Birmingham at the weekend was was such a hammer blow that he struggled to congratulate team mate Lewis Clareburt for his surprise victory in the 400m medley on the same day.

“I was a bit heartbroken – so I wasn’t there to support him as I should have,” said Jeffcoat.

Jeffcoat’s development as a swimmer was overshadowed by the loss of his long-time coach Ken Nixon, who died suddenly during a domestic swim event in 2019.

He said he had been trying to keep Nixon out of his mind while racing in Birmingham.

“If I was going to have a result like I did today, now was the time to think about it and hopefully I’ve done him proud.”

-Reuters