25-year-old Ariarne Titmus, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, shocked Australian sports fans by announcing her retirement from elite swimming on social media. Titmus, who had planned to return to competitive swimming after a break following the Paris Games and aim for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, shared her decision in a video on Instagram. She expressed that while she has always loved swimming, she now realizes that other aspects of her life hold greater importance to her.
During the Paris Olympics, Titmus won the women’s 400-meter freestyle, successfully defending her title in a much-anticipated race against American swimmer Katie Ledecky and Canada’s Summer McIntosh, all of whom have held the world record in the event. In 2023, Titmus underwent surgery to remove two benign ovarian tumors but made a swift return to top-level competition.
Reflecting on her retirement, Titmus mentioned that her health challenges before the Paris Games were a significant turning point for her. She retires as the world-record holder in the 200 freestyle and boasts an impressive tally of 33 international medals, including four Olympic gold medals, three silver medals, and one bronze, along with four world titles. She shared the news of her retirement in a heartfelt letter addressed to her younger self, expressing pride in her accomplishments and the realization of her dreams.
Swimming Australia commended Titmus for her unwavering dedication to the sport in Australia and for being an inspiration globally. The organization recognized her significant contributions to swimming and wished her well in her future endeavors.
The Canadian swimmer picks up her first world championships win in the 400-meter.