Siobhan O’Connor

Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, born on November 29, 1995, in Bath, England, began her competitive swimming career at a young age. She first represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games, competing in the 100m breaststroke. Her breakthrough year came in 2014 at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she earned six medals, including a gold in the 200m individual medley, four silvers, and one bronze. In the same year, she also secured three World Championship short-course medals. She continued to achieve success, winning world long course bronze in the 200m medley and gold in the 4x100m mixed medley in Kazan.

O’Connor’s career highlight occurred at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where she secured a silver medal in the 200m individual medley, setting a new British record of 2:06.88 minutes. This made her the first British female to win an Olympic medal in this event. She also competed in the 4x100m medley relay and 4x200m freestyle relay at Rio. Two years later, at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, she successfully defended her 200m individual medley title and added two bronze medals in the 4x100m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relays.

Following a long battle with ulcerative colitis, O’Connor announced her retirement from competitive swimming on June 16, 2021, at the age of 25. Despite her retirement from professional competition, O’Connor has transitioned into other roles within swimming, including coaching. She coached actress Daisy Ridley for her role in the 2024 film “Young Woman and the Sea.” Her career is marked by consistent performances at the highest levels of international swimming, overcoming personal health challenges while achieving significant milestones.