«Dear seven-year-old Ariarne, you retire from competitive swimming, you spent 18 in the pool, 10 representing your country. You participated in two Olympics and you also won: the dreams you had have all come true, now make sure you enjoy every moment of your life.” Surprisingly, alone 25 years, Ariarne Titmusone of the greatest swimmers ever, 4 Olympic golds and as many world championships, he announced his farewell to the swimming pool: and he does it with one letter to herself as a childretracing dreams pursued and realized, amidst the many sacrifices, sacrifices, first of all leaving the family at just 14 years old, then the fear and pain of a serious health problem.
A “difficult decision” which, says the champion born in 2000, a freestyle specialist, comes after the break taken after the Olympic Games Paris. A year’s break to recharge the batteries in view of Los Angeles 2028 Olympics: and instead the choice to stop here. «I have always loved swimming, it has been my passion since I was a child – she says announcing her retirement on social media -, but in this period away from sport I have understood that things in my life that have always been important to me are now more important than swimming».
The Australian had arrived in Paris after an operation to remove a ovarian cancer: and she had done it again like a queen, taking hers third individual gold in the stellar final of the 400 freestyle in which he faced and beat the unbeatable American Katie Ledecky. And the American herself is one of the first to pay homage to her: «An exceptional career, a champion and a special person».
Holder of two world recordsincluding that of 200 freestyle (1’52″23) which was Federica PellegriniTitmus conquered 33 medalsof which eight Olympics: the rivalry with Ledecky made their pool challenges stellar, with the American beaten first in Tokyo and then in Paris.
«You have achieved more than you could have imagined and for this you must be proud – writes the Australian speaking to the little girl she was -. Along the journey you have met incredible people who have helped you, you have to thank them all. You leave home at 14, what a difficult decision it was to leave. Mom and Dad they saw the tears in your eyes and sacrificed everything. Without them you wouldn’t be here. You just turned 25 and it seems like the right time to leave swimming. You leave the scene knowing that everything was done without regrets, you are satisfied and happy. What awaits you now is exciting, new goals, more time to spend with the people you love and the chance to put yourself first and not your sport. Enjoy every moment, time flies.”
Many comments from the champions who greeted the swimming legend from his compatriot Ian Thorpe (“You made many people dream”) to the Italian Olympian Gregorio Paltrinieri who pays homage to her with a simple “legend”.