Titmus, famous for beating US swim star Katie Ledecky at the Paris Games, was expected to compete in the 2028 Olympics.By News AgenciesPublished On 16 Oct 202516 Oct 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareAustralian four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus has retired from competitive swimming at the age of 25, ending a stellar career that featured one of the sport’s great rivalries with American Katie Ledecky.Titmus confirmed her decision on Thursday, bowing out as one of Australia’s most decorated athletes with eight Olympic medals and four world titles.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listThe decision came as a shock to her nation, and the swimming world in general, as she had long planned a return to the pool to chase more Olympic glory at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.“A tough one, a really tough one, but one that I’m really happy with,” she said of her decision in a video on social media.“I love swimming, I’ve always loved swimming. It’s been my passion since I was a little girl.“But I guess I’ve taken this time away from the pool and realised some things in my life that have always been important to me are just a little bit more important to me.” Ariarne Titmus won four gold medals, three silver and one bronze during her Olympic career [File: Petr David Josek/AP Photo]Race of the centuryTitmus won her third individual Olympic gold medal in a 400m freestyle final dubbed “the race of the century” at the Paris Games when she beat Ledecky and Canada’s Summer McIntosh to defend her title.After Paris, she resolved to take a year off from competing and training to recharge, electing to skip the world championships in Singapore and instead cover the meet as a TV commentator.But the return to the pool never materialised. Advertisement Titmus had undergone surgery to remove benign tumours from her ovaries eight months before Paris, and she said the health issue had reminded her about having a life outside swimming.“Delving more into those health challenges, I’ve had to think about what’s most important to me,” said Titmus, who retires as the 200m freestyle world record holder.“Beyond swimming, I’ve always had goals in my personal life.“More than anything, I’m excited for what’s next.”The face of Australian swimming at the last two Olympics, Titmus’s retirement robs the national team of an inspirational leader who did much to restore the country to superpower status in the sport after a lean decade. Titmus, centre, won the 400m freestyle title at the 2024 Paris Olympics, beating American great Katie Ledecky, right, and rising superstar Summer McIntosh in what was d …
