‘I’m mad to do it’: David Wilkie’s son quits job to chase late father’s Olympic swimming world record

In an extraordinary bid driven by grief and legacy, Adam Wilkie has quit his job to pursue a near-impossible goal: matching the iconic world record set by his father, David Wilkie, nearly 50 years ago.

The 33-year-old former marketing professional has stepped away from his career to train full-time for a year, aiming to replicate his father’s 200m breaststroke time of 2 minutes 15.11 seconds, set at the 1976 Olympics.

Speaking about the challenge, Adam admitted the scale of what he’s attempting: “I’m mad to do it… but I want to see how close I can get.”

Despite having no competitive swimming background and even a past fear of deep water, he is now dedicating himself entirely to the sport with professional coaching and structured training.

A personal journey through grief

More than just a sporting challenge, Adam describes the effort as deeply emotional. His father passed away in 2024 at the age of 70 after battling cancer, and the journey has become a way for him to reconnect.

He said the process is helping him cope with loss, calling it “a way of having one last conversation” with his father while training in the pool.

Dual mission: Record and fundraising

Alongside the physical challenge, Adam is aiming to raise £215,000 for SportsAid, a figure inspired by his father’s record time of 2:15.11.

The initiative adds another layer of purpose, supporting young athletes while honouring his father’s legacy.

From beginner to big dream

Adam acknowledges the odds are stacked against him. He is not a trained swimmer and says he is “miles off” the target time.

His previous routine was far removed from elite sport, with most of his activity limited to desk work.

Now, his life revolves entirely around swimming—training daily with a team and coach in a bid to close the gap.

Who was David Wilkie

David Wilkie was one of Britain’s greatest swimmers and an Olympic champion. At the 1976 Montreal Olympics, he won gold in the 200m breaststroke, setting a world record that stood as a benchmark of excellence.

He remains the only swimmer in history to have simultaneously held British, Commonwealth, European, World and Olympic titles.

Known for his innovation, being the first to use both goggles and a cap in competition, Wilkie was widely regarded as a pioneer in the sport.

Honouring a legacy

For Adam, the challenge is less about breaking records and more about understanding the dedication and mindset that defined his father’s career.

“I think the journey will be the real win,” he said, acknowledging the year ahead will test him physically and emotionally.