Maddie Groves is a multiple national champion butterflier from Queensland, Australia. Having been a dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist, she also won a sterling silver in the Women’s 200m Butterfly at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Groves hit the headlines in 2021 after she announced her withdrawal from the Australian trials for the 2020 Summer Olympics as part of the protest against “sexual misconduct” in the swimming industry.
Here is everything you need to know about the Aussie competitive swimmer.
How Old is Maddie Groves? Her Early Life & Education
Madeline “Maddie” Groves was born in the year 1995 in Brisbane, Australia. The 26-year-old competitive swimmer celebrates her birthday on 25 May, which makes her a Gemini.
Groves is the only daughter born to her parents – Claire Brinkman Groves and Greg Groves; she has two brothers. She studied at Wilston State Primary School and St Peters Lutheran College. Later, she completed her Bachelor of Social Science degree at Bond University on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Maddie Groves’ National and International Career
Groves was relatively unknown until 2013 when she won the national 200m butterfly championship. She had previously been one of Australia’s top youth swimmers, but she struggled to break into the professional ranks. After some frustration, she took a break from the pool, and after 18 months, she had discovered the tools she needed to be successful at that senior level.
Groves was named to the Commonwealth Games team in 2014 after winning the national title in the 200m butterfly for the second year in a row. She had a fantastic swim at the Glasgow Games, finishing third in her best event with a bronze medal. She was also a member of Australia’s gold-medal-winning 800m freestyle relay team in the heats.
Groves competed in the Pan Pacific Championships the same year, following up her good competition in Glasgow. She finished sixth overall in the 200m butterfly final.
Groves defended her national championship in the 200m butterfly at the 2015 Hancock Prospecting Australian Swimming Championships, setting a new all-comers record. She was ranked as the world’s number one swimmer at the time of her swim.
Maddie Groves’ First Olympic and Pan Pacific Championship
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Groves made her first Olympic appearance. She finished 2nd in 200m butterfly by just three one-hundredths of a second gold medalist Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain.
She broke the pan pac championship record at the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships, securing gold for the Aussie women in 7:44.12 in the women’s 800m free relay.
Why Maddie Groves Withdrew From the 2020 Summer Olympics?
Groves announced her withdrawal from the Australian trials for the 2020 Summer Olympics in June 2021, citing “misogynistic perverts in sport and their bootlickers,” as the reason for her decision, which she described as “the culmination of years of witnessing and ‘benefitting’ from a culture that relies on people ignoring bad behaviour to thrive.”
Groves has accused two of the country’s leading coaches of misconduct and revealed that she was sexually abused from the age of 13 by a person who still works in swimming.
What’s Maddie Groves’ Net Worth?
Groves has accumulated an applaudable fortune from her career as a competitive swimmer. She raked up $30,000 as the silver medalist in Rio Olympics.
Though the specific digit of Maddie Groves’ net worth is currently unknown, she is roughly worth around $300 thousand.
Maddie Groves’ Diagnosis and Health Condition
In 2017, Groves was diagnosed with Endometriosis, a painful disorder in which the lining of the uterus develops outside of the uterus. She had surgery right after she was diagnosed, and she had further operations in 2018 and 2020 to fix the problem. She later became an ambassador for EndometriosisQld in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. As of now, her health condition is all good.
FAQs
When and Where Did Maddie Groves Begin Swimming?
Groves started swimming when she was 8 years old in Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
What’s Maddie Groves’ Training Regime?
Groves swims for 24 hours a week, five to six kilometres a session. She supplements her training with three sessions of gym and two sessions of Pilates a week.
Who is Maddie Groves’ Coach?
Groves trains with coach Michael Bohl at Griffith University, having followed him there after his move from St Peters Western. She has known Bohl since 2008, and she has been coached by him since 2012.
Is Maddie Groves Dating Someone?
The Aussie competitive swimmer is dating a guy named Tom Barton.
Her boyfriend is the developer of an app called “Q Swim.” He is also a sports physio and yoga instructor.
How Tall is Maddie Groves?
Groves stands tall at the height of 179 cm or 5 feet 10 inches.
