Revealed: Why swimming’s golden couple split

A FORMER swimmer and ex-girlfriend of Mitch Larkin has weighed into the break-up of him and Emily Seebohm after reports an alleged affair was behind the high-profile couple’s split.

Mitch Larkin and Emily Seebohm’s last public appearance together, at Brisbane’s Treasury Hotel last week.

• Camp absence unrelated
• ‘Something wasn’t right’
• Couple’s happier times

FORMER swimmer Meagen Nay has weighed into the break-up of Emily Seebohm and Mitch Larkin.

Nay, who previously had a long-term relationship with Larkin while they were both competing in the Australian Swim team, responded to the news this morning.

“There is hard evidence in here, trust me,” the Gold Coast-based former swimmer posted on social media in reference to The Courier-Mail’s story of affair allegations.

Meagen Nay commented on a social media post about the split. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It came as Nay and Seebohm, who previously competed against each other in backstroke events, made identical posts to their Instagram stories last night.

Each swimmer posted the same image of a seascape with the quote “What is coming is better than what is gone”.

The Courier-Mail earlier reported an alleged affair was behind the split of swimming’s golden ­couple.

The two posted within hours of each other.

Pictures: Supplied

Rumours have been swirling within the swimming fraternity that Larkin had allegedly been having an ongoing affair with another swimmer, outside the Australian team, which ultimately led to Seebohm announcing their separation last Friday after a highly public two-year relationship.

Meagen Nay and Emily Seebohm after competing in the womens 100m backstroke at the 2014 Australian Swimming Championships in Brisbane. Picture: Adam Head

There are also concerns from within about how the acrimonious split will affect the Australian team, of which they are both star members.

When approached by The Courier-Mail, Larkin declined to comment.

Both Seebohm and a spokesman for the Australian swim team also declined to comment on the matter.

Emily Seebohm out walking in Brisbane’s Hamilton yesterday

However multiple sources close to the Brisbane couple confirmed that rumours of an affair surfaced around the time of the Pan-Pacific Championships trials in Adelaide early this month and Seebohm allegedly discovered evidence.

One source said while the couple had agreed to work through the situation, the end became inevitable last Thursday when Seebohm uncovered new information about the alleged affair.

That night they took part in Treasury Brisbane’s ICON fashion show.

Following her commitments in the runway show, Seebohm told a friend she “was leaving straight away”.

Another insider said they “saw her leave the hotel and it looked to me like she was crying”. “They were not tight (backstage) like I had seen them previously and she looked quite agitated,” a bystander said.

Emily Seebohm and Mitch Larkin fly the flag for the 2016 Rio Games.

Larkin was seen leaving separately shortly after, citing his early morning training schedule.

Prior to the event they had declined an offer to stay overnight at the Treasury.

It is understood that, with rumours continuing, Seebohm chose to announce the split on Instagram on ­Friday, with Larkin seen removing ­personal belongings the following day from their shared home at Hendra in Brisbane’s inner north, which they purchased together a year ago.

In an additional comment on Instagram yesterday, she wrote to a fan: “It’s been a hard month for me but I’m doing my best.”

It is understood Larkin was disappointed Seebohm made the break-up public.

Seebohm chose to stay in Brisbane as Larkin and the Australian squad travelled to Cairns on Sunday for a training camp before next month’s Pan-Pacs, where the pair will compete. Seebohm will rejoin the team next week.

One insider speculated: “It’s not going to be easy as they also have the house. I’m not sure how this will play out but it won’t be pretty.”