Emily Seebohm Bids Farewell to the Pool: A New Chapter Begins

After numerous early mornings and competitions, Australian Olympic athlete Emily Seebohm has officially put away her goggles.

The backstroke superstar announced her retirement on social media on Wednesday, mentioning that the New Year would be a period to “discover my next endeavor.”

A mother to son Sampson, born in September 2023, Seebohm’s journey in the pool has seen her compete in four Olympic Games, achieving the status of a five-time World Champion and four-time world record holder.

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She made her Olympic debut in Beijing in 2008 at just 16 years old, earning three gold, three silver, and one bronze medal.

The 32-year-old aspired to be the third Australian swimmer to participate in the Olympics following childbirth, but fell short of her dream to future gold-medallist Kaylee McKeown.

The only other competitors to have accomplished this were Lisa Curry at Barcelona 1992 and Hayley Lewis at Sydney 2000.

The last significant medal she obtained before entering the Paris Olympic trials was during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Seebohm conveyed her appreciation for all those who enabled her to pursue “every opportunity imaginable” in her farewell message.

“Swimming has been the most significant part of my life since I joined my first Australian Open team at 14 in 2007,” she mentioned in an Instagram post.

“I have explored so much of the world as an Australian Dolphin.

“It meant everything to me to have been able to do what I did, and I had an amazing time!

“You will always find me close to the water, just perhaps not behind the starting blocks.

“Dolphin 654, saying goodbye to the green and gold.”

Messages from the backstroke star’s Dolphins teammates, both current and former, quickly filled social media.

“Congratulations on an amazing career. Wishing you all the best for your next chapter,” wrote two-time gold medallist Shayna Jack.

“Love you, Em. We shared some incredible times. You always made swimming enjoyable and engaging,” Georgia Bohl added.

Jenna Strauch commented: “You are a true inspiration. Thank you for being yourself and sharing your talent and joy with all of us.”