Three-time Paralympic champion Ollie Hynd<\/strong> will not compete in Tokyo<\/strong> in August as he steps away from the pool for the immediate future.<\/p>\n

The Briton won the SM8 200IM titles at London 2012 and Rio 2016 and also claimed gold in the S8 400 free in Brazil.<\/p>\n

His winning times of 2:20.01 in the 200IM and 4:21.89 over 400 free still stand as world records.<\/p>\n

Hynd has also claimed four world titles and one Commonwealth gold since first topping the European podium in 2011 aged 16, the first of his five continental titles.<\/p>\n

He was also appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire<\/strong> (MBE)<\/strong> in the New Year’s Honours in 2013 for services to swimming.<\/p>\n

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Photo Courtesy: Matt Alexander\/PA<\/p><\/div>\n
In a statement, the 26-year-old cited the impact of Covid as well as his reclassification which made the last few years “challenging” and ultimately contributed to his “really difficult decision”.<\/p>\n
Hynd has the degenerative muscular condition neuromuscular myopathy and had been competing in the S8 class since his international debut in 2011.<\/p>\n
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) introduced new rules in 2018 which required all swimmers to go through another international classification.<\/p>\n
Hynd was reclassified as an S9 meaning he was competing against less-impaired athletes and despite appealing, the decision was upheld and he considered retiring.<\/p>\n
Although he continued, Hynd will now step away from the pool “for the moment” with the Paralympic Games<\/strong> running from 24 August-5 September although he has by no means ruled out a return.<\/p>\n
He said:<\/p>\n
“Unfortunately I have had to make a really difficult decision following on from a challenging few years, regarding my classification and of course the impact that Covid has had on us all, as elite athletes.<\/p>\n
“For the moment, I will be stepping away from the programme and competitive swimming to focus on other initiatives and projects to ensure that my health & wellbeing are the main priority moving forward.<\/p>\n
“I would wholeheartedly like to thank my sponsors, teammates, coaching team and more importantly supporters, who have been instrumental in every achievement I have made in and out of the pool.<\/p>\n
“Although Tokyo 2021 isn\u2019t in my short-term swimming plans, you never know what may be around the corner.<\/p>\n
“Thank you again to all for being alongside me in what has been an awesome time!”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
He added: “Also I would like to wish my teammates the best of luck this summer in Tokyo! I know you will all be prepared to deliver a great performance + I will be cheering you all on.”<\/p>\n
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A post shared by Oliver Hynd MBE (@olliehyndgb)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n