Mel Marshall has some simple advice for aspiring young swimmers who may feel a stop-start year has potentially shattered their dreams of following in the footsteps of her greatest protege.
“Swimming is like riding a bike – it’s still in there,” said the Loughborough National Centre head coach, who has guided world-record holder Adam Peaty to Olympic glory and countless other titles.
“You have to be positive. Look at what you have got and not what you haven’t got. You will always get it back.
“Stay active, stay physically healthy and fit and [when pools reopen] you can get back to it straight away. You might come back even better.”
They are sound words of wisdom from the 39-year-old who, when it comes to swimming, has literally been there, done that and got the T-shirt.
