Swimmer honoured for improving athlete welfare

A marathon swimmer and campaigner has been recognised for improving athlete welfare in British swimming.

Dr Amber Keegan received the Chancellor's Medal from the University of Sheffield for her work, which led to safeguarding reforms including a ban on the routine weighing of athletes under the age of 18.

While completing a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering, the British swimming champion represented Great Britain in international marathon swimming.

Keegan, who also completed a swim of the English Channel to raise funds for Surfers Against Sewage, said: "I've always wanted to use my experiences to help make sport safer, more supportive and more accessible for the next generation."

The Chancellor's Medal is the university's highest student honour and has recognised exceptional students and graduates annually since 1985.

Drawing on her own experiences as a competitive swimmer, including recovery from an eating disorder, Keegan worked to improve safeguarding practices and raise awareness of the mental health challenges faced by athletes.

The former swimming commentator for the Paris Olympic Games said sport had given her some of the "most rewarding experiences" but also exposed her to the challenges many athletes still faced.

She said when she was struggling, she often felt "isolated and unsure" of where to turn for support.

Keegan said that experience motivated her to help create a supportive environment which she wished had existed for her and for others going through similar challenges.

To help address gaps in support for athletes, Keegan co-founded Athlete Interactions, a peer-support charity helping sportspeople experiencing challenges relating to body image, bullying and mental health.

The organisation is part of an initiative led by the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee and Worldwide Olympic Partner, helping it expand its support programmes and reach more people in elite sport.

Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Sheffield and Keegan's doctoral supervisor, Prof Siddharth Patwardhan, said: "Amber's achievements across research, elite sport and athlete welfare are exceptional."

He said she was "the most resilient student" he had ever supervised.

"Despite facing some extremely challenging situations she has continued with the same intent, making her a highly deserving recipient of the Chancellor's Medal."

Keegan also regularly supports outreach, mentoring and public engagement activities with schools, sports organisations and community groups.

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