There are mixed emotions in Australian swimming this morning following the shock retirement announcement of one of the country’s greatest swimmers.
In a stunning revelation that marks the end of an era for Australian swimming, four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus has officially retired from the sport.
Titmus broke the news on Thursday morning with a social media post, with the 25-year-old champion calling time on a remarkable career that saw her become one of Australia’s greatest-ever swimmers.
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In an emotional statement, Titmus reflected on her decision to step away from competition.
“It’s a tough one but one that I’m really happy with,” Titmus wrote.
“I’ve always loved swimming — it’s been my passion since I was a little girl. But I guess I’ve taken this time away from the sport and realised that some things in my life that have always been important to me are just a little bit more important now than swimming.” Titmus continued.
Titmus bows out with eight Olympic medals to her name across the Tokyo and Paris Games, including back-to-back golds in the women’s 400-metre freestyle — a feat not achieved by an Australian since Dawn Fraser in 1964.
Her dominance in the pool also saw her claim world records in both the 200m and 400m freestyle, with her blistering 1:52.23 in the 200m still standing as the fastest time ever recorded.
Across her glittering career, Titmus also captured nine world championship medals, four of them gold, and collected seven Commonwealth Games golds and a silver across the 2018 Gold Coast and 2022 Birmingham Games.
Titmus became a household name not only for her fierce rivalry with American star Katie Ledecky but also for her composure, humility, and relentless drive.
As one of Australia’s most decorated Olympians, her retirement leaves a lasting legacy — one built on excellence, resilience, and an unshakeable belief that greatness comes through hard work and heart.