Olympian's Concussion Symptoms Linger After Crash
Swimmer David Johnston says symptoms from a head-on collision have persisted for three months and he has not competed since October 2025.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Swimming
U.S. Olympian David Johnston disclosed on Instagram that he is dealing with persistent neurological symptoms following a serious head-on car accident three months earlier that left him with a concussion. Johnston, a current University of Florida swimmer, has not competed since an October 2025 dual meet against Alabama.
Why it matters
For swimmers and other athletes, the disclosure is a reminder that concussion symptoms can persist well beyond the initial injury and can keep an athlete out of competition for months. Johnston's case also shows how a non-sport injury such as a car accident can sideline an elite athlete.
The information comes from a personal Instagram post by Johnston rather than a clinical study or official medical report. It establishes that he has a concussion and persistent neurological symptoms, but it does not include diagnostic test results or a treatment plan.
The players
David Johnston
A U.S. Olympian who qualified for the 2024 team in the men's 1500 freestyle, finished 18th in Paris, and is a University of Florida swimmer.
University of Florida
Johnston's current university, where he is pursuing his final season of eligibility and receiving care.
University of Texas
Johnston's previous university, where he was a standout distance swimmer and scored heavily at NCAA Championships.
The details
Johnston was involved in a head-on collision, and the impact caused a concussion that has left him with symptoms that have not resolved. Concussion symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, and cognitive or sensory changes, and for some athletes they persist for an extended period. Johnston had already been dealing with shoulder and knee injuries that kept him from finishing the 2025-26 season, and he transferred to the University of Florida for 2026-27.
Timeline
October 2025: Johnston competed in a dual meet against Alabama, his last competition.
October 28: Johnston turned 25.
April 2026: Johnston announced his transfer to the University of Florida.
Three months before his announcement: Johnston was in the head-on car accident.
Friday, November 6, 2026: Johnston disclosed his symptoms on Instagram.
Health Landscape
Concussions from motor vehicle crashes are a distinct injury pathway from the sport-related concussions that dominate athletic medicine discussions. Athletes who sustain such injuries often face recovery timelines that depend on symptom management rather than a fixed return-to-play protocol.
If you have had a head injury and notice symptoms that linger for weeks, it is worth raising them with your doctor rather than waiting them out. Persistent headaches, dizziness, or cognitive changes after a concussion warrant a clinical evaluation.
The takeaway
Persistent symptoms after a concussion, including those from a car accident, deserve medical follow-up rather than assumptions that they will pass on their own. If you are experiencing lingering head-injury symptoms, a conversation with your physician is the right next step.
Further reading
For more on the sport, browse our Swimming coverage.
