Hong Kong world champ Haughey to consider future as coach dangles Olympic precedent

The coach who masterminded Siobhan Haughey’s fifth world title triumph on Sunday says his high-achieving charge still has “room for improvement” if she decides to extend her decorated career in the pool.

Haughey, who scorched to short-course World Aquatics Swimming Championships 200-metres freestyle gold in Budapest, is poised to weigh up her future during a prolonged break from the sport.

She is due back for training on April 1, ahead of potentially defending her 200m freestyle long-course world championship crown in Singapore next July and August.

Tom Rushton, who has coached Haughey since late 2021, told the Post: “We have had conversations [about Haughey’s plans] and will continue to …. she’s a lovely woman, a great athlete and a huge asset to our training group. I hope she continues, but she has lots of other opportunities in life.

“She’s going to have the biggest break she’s had and think about what she wants to do. That might include not swimming.”

Haughey swam the third-fastest short course 200m freestyle in history – one minute, 50.62 seconds – to add the 2024 world title to those she won over the same distance in 2021 and 2022.