Olympic swimmer Toby Robinson ready to make waves for the West Midlands in Paris

Wolverhampton’s Toby Robinson is hoping to put past Olympic heartbreak behind him and bring home some silverware to the West Midlands.

The 27-year-old will represent Team GB as he takes to the water in the men’s 10km swim on Friday morning.

Robinson narrowly missed out on the Tokyo Olympics four years ago. Despite finishing third in the qualifying race, he was left off the team as teammate Hector Pardoe claimed the top spot, and only one athlete per country was permitted to compete.

But Robinson is eager to seize his opportunity in Paris having qualified thanks to a 15th place finish at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha earlier this year.

“I can't wait and I'm so determined to do well,” said Robinson. “I felt gutted three years ago when I missed out on the last Olympics.

“I was devastated to miss out on the last Olympics, especially since I finished in the top 15 of the race and my teammate secured first place.

“So that has made me even more determined to do as well as I can here and hopefully bring home a medal for Team GB and Wolverhampton.”

Growing up in Penn, Wolverhampton, Robinson tried his hand at several different sports before excelling in swimming.

“I was involved in so many sports when I was younger,” Robinson continued. “Wolverhampton city centre was just a short journey on the bus so I want to many different clubs around the city.

“From athletics at Wolves and Bilston Athletics Club, to cycling with the Wolverhampton Wheelers and swimming with Wolverhampton Swimming Club. I was big into triathlon too when I was younger, competing with the Black Country Triathletes.”

Robinson’s talent began to shine through in swimming, leading him to the national stage and he credits Wolverhampton Swimming Club for nurturing his potential.

“I did all these different sports when I was younger, but I happened to find that my talent lied in swimming when I started making the nationals and I owe a lot of that talent to Wolverhampton Swimming Club.

“I had incredible coaches like John Howells, Jane Cooling, and Adam Johnson, who taught me the fundamentals of swimming. Their guidance played a crucial role in my journey.”

After a year with the Royal Wolverhampton School's swimming team, Robinson transitioned to the National Training Centre in Loughborough, where he continued to improve under the tutelage of elite coaches, including Nathan Hilton, who is now an Olympic coach.

In 2022 Robinson joined the Team England national team and competed in the men’s 400 metre freestyle (finishing 10th) and the men’s 1,500 metre freestyle (finishing fourth).

As Robinson prepares to compete in Paris, he is eager to connect with fellow athletes from the West Midlands and represent his home region on the world stage.

“I don’t know any of the West Midlands athletes personally yet, but I’m excited to meet them in the Olympic village,” Robinson said. “I’m aiming to be the most successful athlete, not just from the West Midlands, but from the entire country. My goal is to bring home that gold medal.”

“I’m throwing everything I’ve got at it,” Robinson added. “I’m throwing the kitchen sink at it. I’m doing everything I can to bring home that bit of silverware.”

You can watch Robinson in action this Friday (9th August) in the men’s 10km open swim. The action is scheduled to begin at 06:30 (BST).