Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus has been lauded as a “living legend” and an inspiration as the sporting world reacts to her shock decision to retire from all swimming aged just 25.
The four-time Olympic gold medallist is the current 200m world record holder but has opted to step away after a staggering haul of 33 international medals including eight Olympic medals (4 gold -3 silver-1 bronze), nine World Championship medals (4-2-3) and eight Commonwealth Games medals (7-1-0).
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Titmus achieved a historic third individual Olympic gold medal, winning the 400m freestyle in the race dubbed ‘the race of the century’, where she defeated the other two previous world record holders of this event – American all-time great Katie Ledecky, and Canadian swimming prodigy Summer McIntosh.
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Ariarne Titmus has retired. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
But it was the lead in to those games, when Titmus was “really rocked” by health issues, needing surgery to remove an ovarian tumour, that she said she took a close look at life after swimming, and was now ready to dive into her next challenge with no regrets about walking away ahead of the 2028 LA Games.
“A turning point for me, or a time when a switch was flicked was in the lead up to the Paris Games, I went through some health challenges which quite frankly really rocked me mentally,” she said.
“It probably was the first time where I considered some things outside of swimming.
“My whole swimming career I have been all or nothing. That’s how I’ve had to be to become the athlete that I am. I’ve just been in this ruthless pursuit of my goals.
Ariarne Titmus with her Paris medal haul. Pics Adam HeadSource: News Corp Australia
“But delving more into those health challenges I’ve really had to look within and think about what’s most important to me.
“Beyond swimming I’ve always had goals in my personal life but swimming has always been most important up until this point and I’ve just realised that those goals and what I want in my future is more important to me.
“But more than anything I’m excited for what’s next. I have this opportunity rto really delve into life and other things that I am wanting to chase.”
Titmus said she never intended to retire so young, but the decision was now clear in her mind.
“I always intended to return. I never thought Paris would be my last Olympic Games. Knowing what I know now, maybe I wish I had enjoyed that last race a little bit more,” she said.
“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 some things in my life that have always been important to me are just a little bit more important to me now than swimming and that’s OK. Here we are.”
Ariarne Titmus wins another medal. Picture: Adam HeadSource: News Corp Australia
After making the announcement, messages flooded in from her rivals and Australian Olympic teammates across social media confirming her status as one of the best of all time.
“An outstanding competitor, champion and person! Congratulations,” wrote her greatest rival Ledecky, while rising Canadian star McIntosh also commented: “Congratulations on an incredible career and all the very best in your next chapter you will be missed,” she wrote.
Fellow gold medallist Kaylee McKeown declared Titmus was “incredible”.
“Privileged to have witnessed a living legend in the sport,” McKeown said.
She was a loved team member. Picture: Adam Pretty/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
One of the fastest men in the pool, sprint star Kyle Chalmers, said Titus was an inspiration.
“I’m so proud of you. You are a legend in and out of the pool. You’ve inspired me so much over the years and I am honoured to call you my friend,” he said.
“All the best with the next chapter of life.”
The heir apparent to Titmus’ crown as the queen of the pool, Mollie O’Callaghan, was equally full of praise.
“Congratulations on an amazing career, Arnie. So grateful to have trained alongside you. Wishing you all the best in the next chapter,” she said.
Sprint swimming great James Magnussen called Titmus “the best to ever do it” while Titmus’ fellow legend Ian Thorpe said she had inspired a generation of Australian swimmers.
“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!,” Thorpe wrote.
Titmus with silver medallist Summer McIntosh and bronze medallist Katie Ledecky in Paris. Picture: AP Photo/Matthias SchraderSource: AP
Titmus said she never intended to retire so young, but the decision was now clear in her mind.
“I always intended to return. I never thought Paris would be my last Olympic Games. Knowing what I know now, maybe I wish I had enjoyed that last race a little bit more,” she said.
“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 some things in my life that have always been important to me are just a little bit more important to me now than swimming and that’s OK. Here we are.”
She will go down as one of Australia’s greats. Picture: Adam HeadSource: News Corp Australia
Ariarne Titmus:
Four-time Olympic gold medallist
Two-time Olympian
Reigning Olympic champion in the women’s 400m
Current 200m freestyle world record holder (1:52.23)
At 2024 Australian Selection Trials, Titmus become the first Australian woman since Shane Gould in 1972 to concurrently hold the 200m and 400m free world records
Member of the 4x200m freestyle team that holds the world record.
2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games became the second swimmer to claim the 200m/400m/800m frees treble at a Commonwealth Games – all in Games records.
Nominee for the 2025 Laureus World Comeback of the Year award for her performance at the 2024 Olympics after recovering from a surgery to remove an ovarian tumour