Calum Jarvis
Born May 12, 1992 Calum Jarvis is a British swimmer and freestyle and backstroke specialist. Born in Ystrad in the Rhondda to Deborah Jarvis and John Jarvis, he first rose to fame in the backstroke events. He trains at the National Performance Centre, Bath under Coaches Dave McNulty and Graeme Antwhistle. After his swimming career Jarvis plans to become a swimming coach.
Breakout
Jarvis had his first international breakout when he finished fifth in the 200m backstroke at the 2010 British Championships. The next year he once again competed at the British Championships, but this time he finished fourth overall.
2012 Olympic year
In 2012 he debuted on the senior international stage, swimming at the European Short Course Championships. Jarvis finished sixth in the 20m freestyle and fifth in the 200m backstroke. Jarvis was given the opportunity to land a spot on the 2012 British Olympic Team. Although Jarvis won gold in the 200m backstroke at the Olympic Trials, which he claims was his finest performance to-date, he just missed making the Olympic qualification time.
Freestyle development
Jarvis quickly improved, and over the next few years after his Olympic tryout, his freestyle developed rapidly. His best event became the 200m freestyle, and he won a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in the event. He now claims that the 200m freestyle is his favorite event.
Welsh Record Holder
2014 was a huge year for Jarvis – he competed at the British Championships held in Glasgow, finishing fourth in the 100m freestyle and picking up a silver medal in the 200m freestyle. His fourth-place finish in the 100m freestyle set a new Welsh record. At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow Jarvis won bronze in the 200m freestyle, breaking David Davies’ Welsh record to wi his first international medal.
2015 Rankings/World Championships
Jarvis was one of the year’s top-10 fastest swimmers in the 200m freestyle worldwide. He used that speed to help Great Britain win their first world championship relay in the 4×200 free relay, upsetting team USA.
2017 World Championships
Calum once again helped Britain to the 4×200 free crown as they successfully defended their title and once again upset team USA on their way to victory. Calum swam on the prelims relay, splitting a 1:46.32, which while fast just left him off of the finals relay.
2018 European Championships
Once again teaming up with Great Britain, Jarvis led off the 4×200 finals relay in 1:47.17 to help the Brits successfully take the European title.
2020 Olympic Games
At his first Olympic Games, Jarvis swam in the prelims of the 4×200 free relay, throwing down a 1:45.53 split on the 3rd leg to help Britain earn the top seed heading into the night. In the final, Great Britain dominated the field, touching first by well over 2 seconds and netting Jarvis a gold medal.