Sharon van Rouwendaal Brings Curtain Down On Historic Career

Two-Time Olympic Champion Sharon van Rouwendaal Brings Curtain Down On Historic Career

Sharon van Rouwendaal has introduced her retirement after a profession through which she turned probably the most profitable open water swimmer in Olympic historical past whereas claiming medals on the earth and European lengthy and short-course swimming pools.

It comes 13 months after her victory within the River Seine at Paris 2024 which propelled her into the historical past books as she turned the primary swimmer to twice win marathon gold in Olympic waters, eight years after lifting the crown at Rio 2016. With silver at Tokyo 2021, she additionally turned the primary athlete to assert three medals.

That was, Van Rouwendaal instructed Swimming World final month, “the most beautiful race because it all came together.  It was not just swimming, it was swimming smart.”

Her retirement concludes a profession that noticed her first stand on the senior worldwide podium on the 2010 European Short-Course Championships in Eindhoven.

As properly as her achievements on the Olympic stage, Van Rouwendaal additionally gained three 5 and 10k titles amongst eight world open water medals and eight golds amongst 10 honours in European OW waters.

At 17 she gained bronze within the 200 again (2:07.78) on the 2011 worlds in Shanghai. She gained silver within the 400 free on the 2015 worlds in 4:03.02 behind Katie Ledecky, a yr after ending second behind Jazz Carlin on the 2014 Europeans in Berlin.

Van Rouwendaal break up 1:52.73 as she anchored the Netherlands ladies to victory on the 2014 short-course worlds in Doha in a WR of seven:32.85.

In a prolonged publish on social media, the 31-year-old stated: “So in the present day I announce I’m ending my skilled swimming profession.

“I do this with peace, pride and gratitude. I leave the sport not only as a double Olympic champion but as the most successful open water by winning on the biggest stage and earning three Olympic medals. The GOAT (Greatest of All Time). The Queen of Open Water Swimming.”

She added: “To everybody who supported me – coaches, teammates, associates, followers, and above all, my household – thanks.

“Without you this brutal however stunning journey wouldn’t have been doable.

“And to all swimmers, athletes and dreamers; keep in mind, medals are gained together with your physique however true victories are gained together with your thoughts.

“It’s time to step out of the tunnel and begin residing.

“With love and gratitude, this is Sharon van Rouwendaal, signing off as a professional swimmer and signing on to the SVR Swim Academy.”

Van Rouwendaal revealed she was considering her future again in February when she said her intention to overlook the 2025 World Championships.

Instead, she attended as a World Aquatics ambassador and seemed on as pal and former Magdeburg coaching accomplice Moesha Johnson gained the 5/10k double.

Now Van Rouwendaal will proceed to develop her swimming clinics, on-line coaching and mentoring and providing plans for shoulder damage prevention warm-ups.