A two-time Olympic champion in the 400m freestyle, she triumphed in Tokyo in 2021 and in Paris last year. She also won 200m freestyle gold in Tokyo and was part of the Australia team that won the 4x200m freestyle relay in Paris.
Before the Paris Games, Titmus underwent surgery to remove an ovarian tumour, which she referred to in Thursday’s announcement, saying she had faced health challenges which “really rocked me mentally”.
After 18 years of swimming, and having just turned 25, “the time feels right to step away from swimming”, she wrote in a letter to her seven-year-old self that she shared on Instagram.
“The pursuit was unrelenting and you gave it every skerrick of yourself. You walk away knowing every stone was turned, no regrets. You’re fulfilled, content and happy.”
American swimmer Katie Ledecky – a rival of Titmus and who the Australian beat to win the 400m freestyle gold in Paris – responded to the announcement, saying Titmus was an “outstanding competitor, champion and person”.
Fellow Australian Olympic swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan, who beat Titmus in the 200m freestyle in Paris to win gold, congratulated her former team-mate on an “amazing career”.
