Open water swimming ace Sharon van Rouwendaal broadcasts retirement

Dutch open water swimming powerhouse Sharon van Rouwendaal has introduced her retirement from competitors on the age of 31. 

A two-time Olympic champion, she lit up the worldwide marathon swimming scene for an entire decade, after making the transition from pool swimming.  

One of essentially the most profitable athletes within the historical past of the self-discipline, she took eight European titles throughout 4 particular person championships; her efforts culminating in a sensational 5km title on the European Aquatics Championships 2022 in Rome. 

Her efforts all through her profession additionally gained her three open water titles on the World Aquatics Championships, in addition to a sole pool swimming gold medal within the 4x200m Freestyle Relay on the 2014 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Doha. 

In whole, she retires with 32 medals throughout each the pool and the open water – along with her sprint-finish victory in Paris on the 2024 Olympic Games in opposition to a robust Moesha Johnson and Ginevra Taddeucci capping off what’s now recognized to be her ultimate race as knowledgeable.  

In a heartfelt social media publish saying her retirement, van Rouwendaal spoke of shifting to France on the age of seven, devoting her life to swimming, and competing in her first World Championships in Shanghai in 2011. 

Reflecting on that emotional win in Paris, she gave some perception in that publish into what the event was like. 

“On the morning of the Olympic race in Paris, I was sick. I vomited twice. The pressure was enormous.” She mentioned. 

“And once I was in the water, there was only one thought: I will, and I must, win. There was no other option. And I did. The most beautiful tribute I could give and the perfect end to my career.” 

After initially taking a 12 months out of the game following that victory, her retirement announcement shed some gentle on what that point did for her outlook on the game. 

“My family, My Greatest strength. Their health has not always been the best, and that’s why I now choose for them. I choose to stop, so I can be with them every day.” 

Looking forward, she has spoken of her need to proceed in an ambassadorial capability, and can start work with European Aquatics to this finish. Although out of the water, she’s going to virtually actually keep throughout the aquatics realm for a few years to return. 

Stephen Stanley for European Aquatics