A celebrated athlete decorated with two Olympic silver medals, Maddie Groves has carved out a formidable reputation in the world of swimming. The build-up to the Tokyo Summer Olympics, delayed by a year due to the global pandemic, has been a journey of dedication and hard work for Groves. But as Australia’s trials unfolded ahead of the spectacular, a cloud of controversy hung over Groves, ultimately leading her to make the heartbreaking decision to withdraw from the Olympics. Her withdrawal was not related to performance-related concerns; rather, it was a poignant stance against what she saw as an environment tainted by an excess of “misogynistic perverts” within the swimming community.
Maddie avoided naming specific individuals when she announced that she would not be participating in the Olympic Trials because of “perverts.” However, he does not have to make such a statement. Instead, she has been vocal about bullying in competitive swimming in the past. Maddie decided she’d rather live in peace than constantly worry about a “misogynistic pervert” harassing her at the pool.
Unfortunately, due to her choice, Maddie will not be attending Tokyo this summer. She’s a world-class swimmer who won two Olympic silver medals, but she won’t be diving into the water to compete in the 200-meter butterfly or the 4×100 medley, both of which she placed at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio.
Now that Maddie has declared that “time’s up” for the perverts, she’s done swimming as long as she has to put up with their harassment while she tries to compete.
Her Instagram post detailing her decision to withdraw from the Olympics upset several of her followers.
*I have decided not to participate in the Adelaide Olympic Trials. Thank you so much for your encouragement as I make this choice. Yes, sorry/not sorry, you haven’t gotten rid of me yet, but I’m looking forward to competing in more events later in the year because I’m so relieved.-
I honestly believe this will be one of the fastest Australian swim teams ever and I encourage everyone to jump on the bandwagon early, she continued. “I’m so excited to see everyone at the trials (streaming on Amazon, y’all) and to see who will represent Australia in Tokyo. Good luck to all the competitors at the Olympic Trials, but most of all to my wonderful @moretonbay_swimming team, my incredible coach @david_Jush_, and everyone who has helped our group this pre-season.
Maddie didn’t provide many details in her initial message. Thank God, replied another, giving more information about why she is withdrawing from the Olympics. *Let this be a lesson to all the misogynistic perverts in sports and their bootlickers. Young women and girls can no longer be used for personal gain, shamed, or medically misinformed, and then expected to speak on your behalf to get your annual bonus. It’s time.
It marked the end of a sport that rewarded and supported those in positions of power who engaged in “bad behavior”.
As her choice reverberates within and beyond the sporting community, it prompts a cascade of reflection and contemplation. It encourages us to reflect on the pervasive issues of harassment and inequality that often lie beneath the glamorous veneer of athletic success. Maddie Groves’ withdrawal from the Tokyo Summer Olympics serves as a powerful reminder that athletes, regardless of their fame or achievements, are primarily individuals who navigate an environment that should prioritize their well-being and dignity. Her decision to step back from the spotlight becomes a testament to the ongoing struggle for inclusivity, respect, and change in the world of sports.
What do you think of this Olympic swimmer’s decision to retire?