Decision day nears for Siobhan Haughey’s return, but coach says no plans beyond this year
Siobhan Haughey to start training April 1, coach Tom Rushton says Olympian will go to world championships only if she thinks she can medal
Siobhan Haughey will only compete for a sixth swimming world title this summer if she can get up to speed following a three-month break from the sport, her coach has told the Post.
But Tom Rushton said there was no decision yet on whether the Hongkonger, who he guided to two world championship titles and two Olympic bronze medals last year, would race at the Asian Games in Japan in 2026 or the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
In October, Haughey said she faced a “major decision” over her future and would only return if she felt her body could handle the rigorous training needed to remain at the top.
“We’ve started to talk about what’s coming, and we’ll see how this season goes,” Rushton said in an interview with the Post on Tuesday. “We’ll make some decisions around how we get to the [World Aquatics Championships] in Singapore, and if we do, what events she’ll swim. And then we’ve talked about the National Games as well.”
Rushton said Haughey would start training on April 1, and after competing in Hong Kong’s Long Course Swimming Trial on April 12 and 13, would join up with his team for an altitude camp in Andorra.
The camp would be in preparation for the Mare Nostrum Swim Tour, which stops in Monaco, Barcelona and Canet-en-Roussillon over three weekends in May.
