Alice Tai announces withdrawal from Tokyo 2020

Elbow injury forces Rio 2016 and London 2019 gold medallist to miss the Paralympic Games in Japan 24 Jun 2021

four female Para swimmers on the podium holding their gold medals

Alice Tai (left) won a gold medal in her first Paralympic Games at Rio 2016 as part of the women's 4x100m medley 34pts relay

ⒸGetty Images

By British Swimming and World Para Swimming

London 2019 seven-time gold medallist Alice Tai has withdrawn from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games through injury.

Tai announced the decision on Thursday (24 June), as she has been hampered by an elbow injury that despite best efforts to rehab, will curtail her involvement at this August’s Games.

The swimmer, who claimed a maiden Paralympic title as part of the women’s 4x100m medley 34pts relay at Rio 2016, attempted a return to competitive action at April’s British Para Swimming International Meet.

However after ongoing consultation with a specialist surgeon, she has decided the best decision for her career is to withdraw from Tokyo 2020 consideration and focus on a full recovery.

Confirming her withdrawal from selection, Alice Tai said:

“Competing at Tokyo 2020 has been my main goal for the last five years, so it’s devastating that I’ll be missing the Games later this year. The decision to withdraw was extremely difficult to accept but my health is ultimately more important than competing.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with an incredible core team who exhausted all conservative treatments to keep me in the pool; it’s comforting to know there was nothing more that could’ve been done. Even if I’m not racing myself, I’ll still be watching the Games and cheering everyone on from home so best of luck to you guys!”

I’m withdrawing from @Tokyo2020 (see video)

Thanks to staff at @britishswimming @eis2win @ParalympicsGB for your help, guidance and advice🙏🏼

Thanks also to my incredible partners @ToyotaUK @speedo @upandgoeu @Radley_London @PapaJohnsUK for your unwavering, continued support!❤️ pic.twitter.com/QsnvFlaJOm
— Alice Tai PLY MBE (@alice__tai) June 24, 2021

Chris Furber, British Para Swimming Performance Director, commented:

“It’s been a cruel decision for Alice to face, however I have every confidence she has the determination to bounce back from this setback and will go onto achieve further success at major meets over the next few years on the journey to Paris 2024.

“We’ll miss her presence among the team this summer - Alice holds a wealth of experience and is one of the characters in the squad many of our newer members look up to, but I’m sure despite her own personal disappointment she will be wishing every success to her teammates in Tokyo.”

With the sporting calendar of 2022 featuring a home Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the next edition of the World Para Swimming Championships in Madeira, Portugal, Tai has plenty to set her sights on during her recovery and will continue to receive the support of the British Para Swimming staff and medical team.