**Announcement: Bill Furniss Retires as Aquatics GB Head Coach After 19 Medals**
Bill Furniss, the most successful head coach in British swimming history, has announced his retirement after a remarkable 19-year tenure leading Aquatics GB. His departure marks the end of an era in which Great Britain won 19 medals under his guidance, including retaining the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay title at Paris 2024.
Furniss, who has been an influential figure in British swimming for nearly five decades, guided the team through four Olympic cycles, culminating in his final Games in Paris. Although the 2024 results were not as spectacular as those at Tokyo 2020, where the team secured their best-ever performance with four gold medals, they still achieved a commendable tally of one gold and four silver medals.
Throughout his tenure, Furniss’s leadership was instrumental in achieving consistent success. His most notable achievements include the unprecedented performance at Tokyo 2020, where the British team won eight medals, including four golds and set a world record in the mixed 4x100m medley relay. His career began with the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and continued through the 2016 Rio Games, where the team won one gold and five silvers, showcasing his ability to adapt and excel across different Olympic cycles.
Furniss first gained prominence as the coach of Rebecca Adlington, who won two gold medals in the 400m and 800m freestyle at Beijing 2008 and added a bronze in the same events at London 2012. His career has been marked by the success of athletes like Adam Peaty, Duncan Scott, Jazz Carlin, James Guy, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, Ben Proud, and Anna Hopkin, who have all enjoyed significant podium finishes under his tutelage.
In 2017, Furniss was honored with an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his services to swimming, recognizing his contributions both as a coach and a stalwart of the sport. As he steps down, Furniss looks forward to spending more time with his family and reflecting on his illustrious career.
Performance Director Chris Spice paid tribute to Furniss’s profound impact on the sport, stating, “It is difficult to sum up the impact that Bill has had on the sport in this country. His direct and performance-focused approach has been central to our success. We owe a great deal to Bill’s leadership and will strive to build on his legacy as we prepare for Los Angeles 2028 and beyond.”
Furniss’s retirement opens the door for a new head coach to take the reins and guide Aquatics GB into a new era of success.
