Three-time Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice has announced her retirement from competitive swimming today.
Rice, who won the 200m, 400m individual medley and the 4x200m freestyle medley relay gold medals in Beijing, has been on hiatus from the sport since a disappointing 2012 London Olympics campaign.
But today she announced she would quit the sport after being hampered by poor form and a shoulder injury.
Rice battled through three shoulder operations before the London Games, and said that it “seemed like everything went wrong for me at the London Games.”
Thankyou everyone for your lovely messages of support. Honestly could not have done it without you… http://t.co/3kn2BiZ2nK
— Stephanie Rice (@ItsStephRice) April 9, 2014
Reflecting on her amazing achievements at the Beijing Olympics, which led to her being one of Australia’s ‘Golden generation’ of female swimmers, Rice said: “It was a complete shock, and it was the best moment I could have experienced.
“Everything lined up so perfectly for me in the Beijing preparation.”
Rice admitted that it would have been “easy to walk away after Beijing, and call it a day there,” but believed she had “a lot more to prove as an athlete.”
You can watch her announce her retirement video below:
Harry
Guest
Triple Gold Medallist and world record holder. Fantastic achievement that. Poor girl did her shoulder serious damage overtraining with gym junkies circa 2009 or 2010 and was never the same swimmer again. Clearly committed trainer thoughout though.
Punter
Guest
Well done Steph, a true champion in Bejing & a true warrior in London.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Thanks for the memories Steph. :)