Alice Dearing, who made British Olympic history at the 2020 Tokyo Games, has retired from swimming.

The 26-year-old was the first black woman to represent Team GB in swimming at an Olympic Games, finishing 19th in the open water 10km race.

“Swimming has provided platforms and opportunities for me I never dreamt possible and as I move into the next phase of my career I’m announcing my retirement from the sport,” she announced on X., external

A world and European champion at the junior levels, Dearing took a break from the sport in 2022 but had set her sights on qualifying for this summer’s Olympics in Paris.

Dearing also co-founded the Black Swimming Association, whose aim is to highlight swimming as an essential life skill and to encourage participation in black and minority ethnic communities.

“From the little girl who was scared to jump in the pool to the woman who stood on the shores of lakes and oceans around the world swimming for her country, I’ve come a long way and I’m proud of the swimmer I became but even prouder of the woman I am,” she wrote.

“Now it’s about continuing to give opportunities to more and more people to help them discover their potential, whatever that may be.

“It’s been fun. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. But my journey doesn’t stop here.”