Florian WELLBROCK

"It's not easy to swim on the big stage like the Olympic Games," he told Olympics.com. "I was too nervous and couldn't swim my best. I was really young then and have developed self-confidence since then, which is vital if you are to succeed at the biggest events."

Rather than giving in to disappointment, Wellbrock used it as fuel for improvement. Just a year later, he broke into the world's top 20 and was crowned European champion in the 1500m in Great Britain in 2018.

Florian Wellbrock: World championship breakthrough

Wellbrock's major breakthrough moment came at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships, where he made history by becoming the first swimmer to win the 1500m freestyle and the 10km open-water race at an international competition.

His versatility again took centre stage at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest, where he claimed bronze in the 10km and gold in the 5km and team relay for open water, along with silver in the 800m freestyle and bronze in the 1500m freestyle. He became the first German swimmer to win five medals at a World Championships, showcasing his excellence across different disciplines.

In 2023, Wellbrock reaffirmed his dominance at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, winning the 10km open water competition and successfully defending his 5km title. His triumph secured his spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he will once more aim for gold in both disciplines.