Titmus opens up on shock retirement and what’s next for the swimming superstar

3 days ago 5

Ariarne Titmus says there was nothing left for her to achieve after the 25-year-old Olympic superstar shocked the sporting world by calling time on one of the most successful swimming careers in history.

The four-time gold-medal champion said she was walking away from the sport with no regrets a day after she announced she would be retiring.

“I gave up a lot,” Titmus said in Brisbane alongside her parents and partner on Friday morning.

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus with family members.

“Growing up, as a teenager I lived a different life, and then through my early 20s I made a lot of decisions to put my social life and my personal life on the backburner to put my sport first.

“I don’t regret anything … I walk away knowing that I couldn’t have done any more.”

Speaking of the support from her family, partner, and coach Dean Boxall, Titmus became emotional.

“It’s probably been the toughest decision of my life. Swimming has been everything to me,” she said.

“It’s given me so many opportunities and I’ve met so many wonderful people and I’ve experienced so many things that many people don’t have the opportunity to experience.

“Giving that all up is a tough decision, but I also have the perspective of someone that has been at the top and done everything … I’m content with that.”

She said she had originally planned to return to the pool competitively, but after an extended break didn’t feel the same “fire” and began looking for new challenges before making the decision to hang up the goggles.

Titmus dominated in the pool during a sparkling Olympic career.

Titmus revealed she wanted to stay involved in the sport, and hoped to be in the commentary box at the next Olympic Games in LA after taking some time off.

“I speak about wanting to be in the broadcast space, but also I have all this new time to give back,” she said.

“A big part of my story is coming from a small town that didn’t have the facilities or the coaching or the platform really for me as an athlete, and so giving back to those kids that maybe need a bit of guidance or a bit of inspiration – I can do that now as well.”

Although born in Launceston, she said she was looking forward to an Olympics in her adopted home of Brisbane in seven years’ time.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, and I just can’t wait to see what Brisbane does and I can’t wait for the world to see what this city has,” Titmus said.

“It’s a wonderful city and I’ve travelled the world a lot and I’ve seen what the world is like, and Brisbane’s one of the best spots.”