Australia’s Ariarne Titmus surprised the sporting world last month by announcing her retirement from competitive swimming, turning a year-long hiatus into a permanent decision.
The 25-year-old Tasmanian first explained her decision in a social media post, but has now shared more details in a recent interview with Stellar Magazine.
“I’ve lived my life not caring that I never got to spend birthdays with my friends or attend family events because I had to be in bed for training,” she said.
“I didn’t really get to enjoy time with my family over Christmas or Easter, because my focus was always on swimming.”
The four-time Olympic champion also reflected on how her partner, Mack, influenced her decision to step away from the sport.
“I met my partner right after the Olympics, and I wasn’t willing to return to the life I’d always known, one where I constantly put my family second,” she explained.
“Swimming has always come first, and they’ve understood that. But to be an athlete, you have to be a bit selfish.”