Tasmanian swimming champion Ariarne Titmus has announced her retirement from competitive swimming at age 25, bringing an end to one of the nation’s most decorated careers in the pool.
The Olympic gold medallist confirmed the news on Instagram on Thursday, writing an emotional letter to her seven-year-old self reflecting on 18 years of competition.
“You’ve just turned 25 and the time feels right to step away from swimming,” Titmus wrote.
“The pursuit was unrelenting and you gave it every skerrick of yourself.”
Titmus had previously indicated she planned to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics before retiring.
Titmus competed at two Olympic Games, winning back-to-back gold medals in the 400m freestyle at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
She also claimed gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay in Paris, along with silver medals in the 200m and 800m freestyle events across both Games.
The Tasmanian-born swimmer represented Australia for 10 years, becoming one of the greatest middle-distance freestyle swimmers of all time.
Titmus paid tribute to her family in her retirement announcement, acknowledging the sacrifices they made for her career.
“You do pack up and move away from your home at 14, what a tough decision it was to leave,” she wrote.
“Mum and Dad saw the glimmer in your eye and sacrificed everything to move. Without them, alongside Mia- you wouldn’t be here today.”
The family relocated from Tasmania to Queensland in 2015 to access better training opportunities.
The Australian Dolphins swimming team congratulated Titmus on social media, tracing her journey from 2014 Age Championships to Olympic glory.
“We thank you for all you did and we know you won’t be lost to swimming,” the team wrote. “Once a Dolphin, always a Dolphin.”
Premier Jeremy Rockliff also paid tribute. “Ariarne Titmus, our golden girl, has just announced her retirement from swimming,” he said.
“A champion in every sense of the word. Thank you Arnie and all the best for what comes next.”
Titmus had been on an extended break from swimming since the Paris Olympics, skipping the 2025 World Championships.
In her retirement post, she said she was leaving the sport “fulfilled, content and happy” with no regrets.
“What’s ahead for you is exciting,” she wrote. “New goals, more time with the people you love most and the chance to wholeheartedly put yourself, not your sport first.”
