The Olympics is the ultimate goal for many young athletes, especially in swimming. For 18-year-old Filip Nowacki, competing at the highest level is no longer just a dream but a tangible possibility following his standout performance at the Commonwealth Games.
Nowacki earned Jersey’s first medal in over 30 years when he claimed silver in the 100m breaststroke by defeating his mentor and world record-holder Adam Peaty. Just three days later, he added another historic moment by securing gold in the 200m breaststroke, marking only the second time an athlete representing Jersey has won a gold medal.
Winning the 200m breaststroke further established Nowacki as a rising star in the sport. As the current world junior champion in that event, he beat former Olympic champion Zac Stubblety-Cook with a time of 2:07.87. This performance alone would have been enough to earn a bronze medal at the previous Olympic Games.
Next steps in a competitive journey
Nowacki is a part of the Team GB Olympic programme and is now preparing for the European Championships in Paris starting 10 August. In that competition, he will face a major challenge with Olympic champion Leon Marchand, who competes in home waters.
He is already reflecting on recent experiences to refine his approach moving forward. 'It’s all about learning from my mistakes over the past week and applying those lessons in the next two weeks,' he said. Nowacki also shared how he embraces the pressure of competition and enjoys the atmosphere of the arena. 'I love the energy. I love the feeling of stepping into the pool,' he added.
An inspiring mentor relationship
Nowacki trains alongside Adam Peaty, an eight-time world champion and triple Olympic gold-medalist. From a young age, he has admired Peaty, particularly after the latter's wins in Rio and Tokyo. Their connection deepened during a race in Paris when Nowacki was 14. During that event, Peaty gave him and fellow swimmer Max Morgan a fist bump, a moment the pair found incredibly surreal.
Training and racing with Peaty has been a dream come true for Nowacki. 'To compete against him and offer him a strong challenge is something special,' he explained. This bond has helped shape his growth as a swimmer and a competitor.
Jersey’s pride in a new champion
Nowacki’s success has brought immense pride to his home island of Jersey. His achievements follow in the footsteps of Colin Mallett, Jersey’s last gold medallist in shooting. Mallett said Nowacki’s accomplishments would create lasting memories for the island.
Nowacki himself was deeply affected by the moment the Jersey flag was raised and the national anthem played during the Commonwealth Games. 'It was very special to see the flag fly and hear the anthem,' he said. Though still young, the emotional weight of this experience has already left a mark on him. 'It’s hard to fully grasp what it all means yet, but seeing the pride of my island was something I will always remember,' he added.