Olympic nice calls time on swimming profession

“I think delving more into those health challenges, I’ve really had to look within and think about what’s most important to me. I’ve just realised that those goals and what I want in my future is now more important to me.”

In a letter to her seven-year-old self, Titmus mentioned: “The pursuit was unrelenting and you gave it every skerrick of yourself. You walk away knowing every stone was turned, no regrets. You’re fulfilled, content and happy.”

Within minutes of her announcement, high-profile athletes and celebrities provided their congratulations to Titmus, who moved from Tasmania to Queensland along with her household in 2015 to pursue her dream of changing into an Olympian.

Titmus, who broke a number of world information in her embellished profession, famously beat American Katie Ledecky, the best feminine swimmer in historical past, within the 2019 world championships in her favoured 400m freestyle occasion earlier than choosing up a outstanding Olympic gold in the identical occasion two years later in Tokyo.

“There’s nothing like the first [Olympic gold medal],” Titmus mentioned. “To achieve your lifelong goal in an instant is something that’s really hard to replicate. To become a legend, you have to beat a legend to win Olympic gold, and I didn’t have to be the best in the world. I had to beat the greatest ever.”

Ledecky was fast to laud Titmus, writing on Instagram: “An outstanding competitor, champion and person! Congratulations.”

Albanese wrote: “Congratulations Ariarne on an amazing career! You have done Australia proud in and out of the pool.”

Five-time Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown mentioned Titmus was an “inspiration”, whereas teammate and rival Mollie O’Callaghan mentioned she was “grateful” to have been along with her on the journey.

Thorpe, a five-time Olympic champion who has known as some Titmus’ largest races, wrote “Thank you for dreaming big, 7yo Ariarne! A joy to watch and a pleasure to be around. You’ve inspired many 7yo and more to dream big!”

Kyle Chalmers, Summer McIntosh, Steph Rice, Jess Fox and James Magnussen had been amongst different Olympians to reward the 200m freestyle world report holder.

Those closest to Titmus had recognized for a while she was considering retirement, though the temptation to chase a 400m freestyle three-peat in LA endured. Instead of being remembered as one whose powers waned on the finish of her profession, Titmus has gone out on high, leaving a legacy like few others.

She has a promising broadcast profession forward of her, is busy on the general public talking circuit and has sturdy model partnerships that may assist in her post-career journey.

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Boxall, who turned a family title after his wild celebration following Titmus’ 400m freestyle gold in Tokyo, knew at the present time was coming. He has been a supply of motivation for thus a few years, convincing Titmus she at all times had what it took, however on this event, he didn’t attempt to persuade her in any other case.

“The old Dean would have said, ‘No Arnie, you need to be in the pool’. He was actually the opposite,” Titmus mentioned. “We set out to do everything we planned. The battle that we went on to win has made us closer than ever.

“I don’t think I could have done it with anyone else. He had the ability to dream even bigger than me. I feel all my achievements are just as much his. I will never be able to repay him.”