Aqua MAN

As one of the few publicly gay professional swimmers, Team GB's Daniel Jervis discusses coming out, the highs and lows of 2022 and what's up next

- Alastair James

I don't think it's unreasonable to describe Daniel Jervis as the ideal example of an LGBTQ+ role model in sport. The Welsh Olympic swimmer is humble when discussing his successes and refreshingly candid in sharing his losses. The 26-year-old from the South Wales Valleys town of Resolven, near Swansea, is also polite and utterly charming.

Last year was a big one for the Team GB swimmer, both professionally and personally.

In June, he came out publicly, and in doing so, he became a trailblazer. Not only did Dan become one of the few publicly gay professional swimmers currently competing, but he also joined the growing list of gay watersports stars that includes Tom Daley, Anton Down-Jenkins and Markus Thormeyer.

In the pool, there were both highs and lows. In August, he withdrew from the Commonwealth Games, a decision he described as "heartbreaking" at the time. As we discover, it left him feeling lost and not only questioning his place in the sport, but his Christian faith as well.

But fast-forward to the end of 2022 and he arrived home from competing in the Melbourne Short Course Swimming Championships in December with a new record under his belt and a renewed passion for elite swimming.

When we speak between Christmas and New Year 2022, Dan seems at peace. "[Melbourne] was really good," he says. "Over the past few months, I've really struggled. My motivation has been the lowest it's ever been. I went because I needed to find the love for the sport again. And I did. I had a really good time." Not only that but he finished sixth in the 1500-metre freestyle event, besting his own Welsh record of 14:32.44 with a time of 14:30.47. It was a sweet note to end the year on after a disappointing summer.