Olympic swimming champion Tom Dean launches new podcast tracking his bid to make Team GB history at Paris 2024

With just six months to go until he bids to make history at Paris 2024, University of Bath-based double Olympic swimming champion Tom Dean is launching a new podcast tracking his record-breaking medal attempt.
Tom Dean Medal Machine will see the Tokyo 2020 gold-medallist, coached by David McNulty at the British Swimming Performance Centre Bath, speak to a range of celebrity guests about building a champion’s mindset as well as provide behind-the-scenes insight into his training regime as he prepares for Paris.
Dean, who bagged 200m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle gold in Tokyo (pictured right), has set himself a target this summer of becoming the first Team GB athlete to win five medals at one Games and believes the podcast will help develop his champions mindset.
“It’s a really fine line I was conscious of treading,” Dean told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “I sat down with my coach and said what we were going to go for at these Games, then I sat down with my agent and asked whether we should go public with it. It’s not really a British thing to say I want to go after all these medals and be too forward with it.
“This is purely a confidence thing, me saying I’m going to give it my best shot to break a record. It’s probably the best opportunity I’m going to get to do this and it’s a case of getting everyone behind me, using everyone I can to go out there and make history.
“Success changes you because you have a target on your back, every time you step on the blocks. You have the expectation to win, and you have the expectation to go to the next Games and win even more medals.
“It completely changes your mindset. I’m still doing exactly the same stuff as when I was 20 years old preparing for Tokyo or 18 years old and just joining the National Centre. That’s not changed, it’s my approach to racing and competition that has, knowing what my body is capable of achieving at that highest level. That’s why I’ve set this big target to go for five medals.”
Jessica Ennis-Hill, the London 2012 Olympic heptathlon champion, is Dean’s first guest on the podcast which launches on Thursday (25th).
“Writing your name into the record books isn’t something you do alone and I can’t wait to soak up the wisdom of our incredible line-up of guests,” he added.
Click here to listen or subscribe to the Tom Dean Medal Machine podcast | Click here to listen to Tom’s interview on the Today programme (from 2:30:40).
Find out more about the swimming programme at the University of Bath, including public swimfit sessions, at teambath.com/swimming.